Argentina may have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but that wouldn't stop them from defeating Chile 1-0. It was a chance for Lionel Scaloni to get a look at players deeper down his roster as a youthful attack of Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, and Giuliano Simeone kicked things off. While they struggled for cohesion, one link-up between Almada and Alvarez was able to put Argentina ahead in the match.

Moments like this, when Argentina are able to see off opposition without Lionel Messi on the pitch, will go a long way to preparing for their next phase when he won't be able to play in every game but at the moment, they were at least able to bring him into the action. When Messi entered for Paz in the second half, he may not have be

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