argentina vs chile

 

 Argentina Player Ratings vs Chile: Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister Shine in Lionel Messi's Absence

06 Sept 2024 07:46+05:30

Argentina displayed their championship pedigree with a resounding 3-0 victory over Chile in their World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday night. Despite Lionel Messi’s absence due to injury, La Albiceleste put on a show, with Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister taking centre stage. Goals from Mac Allister, Álvarez, and Paulo Dybala ensured that Argentina continued their dominant run in the CONMEBOL standings, remaining unbeaten with 18 points out of a possible 21.

It was a night of celebration and tribute as the Argentine squad and fans paid homage to Ángel Di María, who announced his retirement from international football following Argentina’s Copa América triumph earlier in 2024. Di María, an instrumental figure in Argentina’s recent successes, including the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, delivered an emotional farewell speech. With his family by his side, Di María addressed the sold-out crowd at the Estadio Mas Monumental, as flashlights beamed from mobile phones and chants of appreciation echoed across the stadium.

 

A Tense First Half

The opening 45 minutes were tense and contentious, with both Argentina and Chile battling hard but neither able to break the deadlock. The world champions, fresh from their Copa América victory, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Chile proving to be tough opposition. Despite Argentina having the lion's share of possession, they found it difficult to create clear-cut chances. 

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was called into action, making a couple of key saves to keep Chile at bay. The Argentine defence, marshalled by veteran Nicolás Otamendi and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez, held firm under pressure, but the team lacked the final pass in attack.

 Argentina Take Control in the Second Half

The second half saw a completely different Argentina. Whatever head coach Lionel Scaloni said at half-time worked wonders, as La Albiceleste came out with renewed intensity. It took just three minutes after the restart for Alexis Mac Allister to break the deadlock. The Liverpool midfielder, playing a more advanced role, latched onto a clever assist from Julián Álvarez to fire home the opening goal. His finish was clinical, driving the ball low into the corner past the helpless Chilean goalkeeper.

From that moment on, Argentina seized control of the match. The midfield trio of Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, and Enzo Fernández dictated the tempo, with De Paul’s leadership and composure on full display. Argentina’s high pressing and quick passing movements began to overwhelm Chile, who struggled to get a foothold in the game.

 Julián Álvarez Steals the Show

Julián Álvarez, the Atlético Madrid striker who has been in scintillating form since his summer transfer from Manchester City, proved why he is one of the most exciting young talents in world football. In the absence of Messi, Álvarez embraced the responsibility of leading the line, and his energy and movement were a constant thorn in Chile’s defence.

Álvarez had already provided the assist for Mac Allister’s opener, but his standout moment came in the 84th minute. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Álvarez turned sharply and unleashed a stunning strike that rocketed off the crossbar and into the back of the net. It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and it cemented his status as Argentina’s talisman on the night. The 24-year-old celebrated passionately with his teammates, knowing he had delivered when it mattered most.

 Paulo Dybala Adds the Final Flourish

As the clock ticked towards full-time, Paulo Dybala, who had been introduced as a substitute in the 79th minute, added a third goal to complete Argentina’s comprehensive victory. The Roma playmaker took full advantage of his opportunity, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and rifling a shot into the net. It was a vintage Dybala finish, curling the ball with precision past the goalkeeper. His cameo off the bench was impressive, and he showed that despite not starting the match, he remains a vital asset for Lionel Scaloni’s side.

Dybala’s goal was the perfect way to cap off a dominant second-half performance from Argentina, who now sit comfortably atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 18 points from seven games. Their nearest challengers, Uruguay, are five points behind, with Colombia in third. Argentina’s next fixture sees them take on Colombia, a team also pushing for qualification, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

 Player Ratings

**Goalkeeper & Defence**

- **Emiliano Martínez (8/10):** Another solid performance from ‘Dibu’ Martínez, who made a crucial save in the first half to keep the scores level. He was reliable throughout and remains one of Argentina’s key players.

  

- **Lisandro Martínez (7/10):** The Manchester United defender was a constant threat from set-pieces and put in a well-rounded defensive display. He linked up well with Otamendi in the heart of defence.

- **Cristian Romero (7/10):** A composed presence at the back, Romero had a few nervy moments but recovered well to help Argentina keep a clean sheet.

- **Nicolás Otamendi (8/10):** The veteran defender rolled back the years with an excellent passing display. Otamendi completed 96% of his passes, showing his experience and class in possession.

**Midfield**

- **Nahuel Molina (7/10):** Operating as a wing-back, Molina was solid defensively and offered good width going forward. His presence down the right flank helped Argentina control the game.

- **Rodrigo De Paul (8/10):** De Paul was his usual self in midfield, calm on the ball and tenacious off it. His leadership qualities shone through as he helped guide Argentina through a tricky match.

- **Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):** The Liverpool star was the standout performer in midfield, scoring the opener and linking up superbly with the forwards. His work rate and creativity were key to Argentina’s success.

- **Enzo Fernández (7/10):** A quieter game for the Chelsea midfielder, but Fernández did his job efficiently and kept the ball moving in midfield.

- **Nico González (6/10):** Unfortunately, González’s night was cut short due to an injury early in the second half. He was steady while on the pitch but didn’t have a significant impact on the attack.

**Attack**

- **Lautaro Martínez (6/10):** A frustrating night for Lautaro, who struggled to find space in the final third. While he played a useful role as a decoy, he failed to register a shot on target.

- **Julián Álvarez (9/10):** The man of the match. Álvarez was electrifying in Messi’s absence, providing an assist for Mac Allister’s goal before scoring a long-range stunner himself. His performance showed maturity and immense talent.

**Substitutes & Manager**

- **Giovani Lo Celso (8/10):** Lo Celso made an instant impact after replacing González, setting up Álvarez’s goal with a clever pass. A superb cameo performance.

- **Marcos Acuña (6/10):** Brought on late in the game to help see out the win. Acuña was tidy in possession and helped maintain control.

- **Paulo Dybala (8/10):** Dybala’s time on the pitch was brief, but he made the most of it with a well-taken goal. A perfect substitute appearance.

- **Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):** Assisted Dybala’s goal and looked lively during his short spell on the pitch. Garnacho continues to impress in his limited opportunities.

- **Valentín Castellanos (N/A):** Came on too late to make an impact.

- **Lionel Scaloni (8/10):** A masterful second-half performance from Scaloni’s side. His half-time team talk clearly made a difference, and his tactical adjustments paid off. Argentina looked every bit like world champions under his guidance.

 Conclusion

Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile demonstrated their depth and quality, even without Lionel Messi. Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister stepped up in the absence of the talismanic captain, and the team put in a professional performance to stay top of the World Cup qualifying standings. With tough games ahead, including a clash with Colombia, Argentina will be confident of securing their place at the 2026 World Cup.