World Cup champions Argentina face Chile on Thursday in a qualifying match. Lionel Messi may feature for the first time in seven months, having missed the previous international break due to injury.
Argentina secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup back in March, so this match is an opportunity for them to prepare as defending champions. Attention now turns to Lionel Messi`s status. The 38-year-old (later this month) continues to be involved with the national team, raising the possibility of his participation in next year`s tournament despite previous comments about his age. Now that qualification is secured, Thursday`s match offers Argentina one of the first chances to properly build towards defending their title.
The match takes place in Santiago against hosts Chile, a team far from their `golden generation` peak. Chile currently sits at the bottom of South America`s 10-team qualifying table with just two wins and 10 points from 14 games. They are likely to miss the World Cup for the third consecutive time. Although their qualification hopes aren`t entirely dashed yet – a five-point gap separates them from the intercontinental playoff spot (Venezuela) – a loss here could make catching the automatic qualification spot (Colombia, 10 points ahead) virtually impossible.
Here is key information to know before the match.
Match Details & Odds
The match is scheduled for Thursday, June 5th at 9 p.m. ET, taking place at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Predanos in Santiago, Chile. The live stream is available via Fanatiz.
Betting Odds: Chile +400, Draw +230, Argentina -130.
Last Encounter
The teams last played in September in Buenos Aires, resulting in a dominant 3-0 win for Argentina. Goals came from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Paulo Dybala, showcasing Argentina`s ability to perform even without Messi on that occasion. Chile managed only one shot on target during the entire match.
Will Messi Play?
A key question is whether Lionel Messi will play, seven months after his last appearance for Argentina. Manager Lionel Scaloni stated on Wednesday that he hasn`t made a final decision yet. Scaloni mentioned regular contact with Messi, noting that while Messi is likely ready to play, the final decision depends on assessing his physical condition after his recent game for Inter Miami. Messi has been playing regularly for his club, completing 90 minutes in his last 15 games over the past two months, though workload management has been a factor in recent years.
Predicted Lineups
Chile: Brayan Cortes, Felipe Loyola, Guillermo Maripan, Francisco Sierralta, Gabriel Suazo, Arturo Vidal, Rodrigo Echeverría, Vicente Pizarro, Dario Osorio, Alexis Sanchez, Alexander Aravena
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez, Argentina: With Messi`s occasional absence, Julian Alvarez has emerged as a crucial player for Argentina. The Atletico Madrid forward has scored three goals in qualifiers and is coming off an impactful club season. At 25, he represents a vital attacking option, not just during qualifiers but potentially as a key contributor in Argentina`s title defense at the next World Cup.
Key Storyline
Argentina`s Evolving Squad: Manager Lionel Scaloni has successfully built an Argentina team less dependent on Messi and featuring younger talent. The core of the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup-winning squads includes world-class players like Alvarez and defender Cristian Romero, who are now entering their prime. Romero, recently named UEFA Europa League player of the season, is becoming a top defender. The next year allows Scaloni to refine this talented roster, positioning them strongly for the upcoming World Cup title defense, benefiting from their valuable experiences with and without their star player.
Match Prediction
Argentina are strong favorites in this match. Even with little at stake for them qualification-wise, the world champions are expected to secure a relatively comfortable win. Their squad depth means they can succeed with or without Messi against a Chile side that has conceded 21 goals in 14 qualifying games. A healthy margin of victory for Argentina is likely given the apparent difference in team strength.
Pick: Chile 0, Argentina 2
