Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Argentina
Match Time & Date:
06/09/2024
02:00
Prediction: 1-0
Chile
Buoyed by the triumph at the 2024 Copa America, Argentina will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they take on Chile in a highly-anticipated World Cup qualifier. La Albiceleste are leading the chase for automatic qualification, but bear in mind that star player Leo Messi misses Friday’s clash with injury. Benfica ace Angel Di Maria has been ruled out with injury. Inter ace Lautaro Martinez is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts, while Roma striker Paulo Dybala returns to the squad.
La Roja, on the other hand, have recorded only one win in the process to date, with the team beating Peru at home. Chile, though, are not regarded as good travellers and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Argentina’s party at Estadio Monumental. To make things even worse for the away team, both Diego Valdes and Alexis Sanchez are out of contention with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Erick Pulgar):
Eric Pulgar is a Chilean international who started his senior career at Deportes Antofagasta. Pulgar is a 186-cm-tall midfielder, who is capable of playing as a centre back as well and he is well known for his speed. After making 38 league appearances for the club he joined fellow Chilean outfit Universidad Catolica in 2014.
The deal was confirmed on 28 June, 2014 and the Chilean defender joined los Cruzados for a fee of $ 500 000. In 2015 he decided to move to Europe and he signed a contract with Bologna for an undisclosed fee. The deal was sealed on 20 August. Erick Pulgar represented Chile at the 2016 Copa America, but he made no more than one appearance for La Roja at the tournament in USA.
He came on as a substitute to replace injured midfielder Pablo Hernandez in a 2-0 win over Colombia. It is well known that Chile won the 2016 Copa America, beating star-studded Argentina in the title game.
Highlighted Team (Argentina):
Members of the CONMEBOL confederation Argentina national team are headed by coach Gerardo Martino and are considered one of the most nations in footballing world. Renowned for their attacking powers and defensive discipline Argentina have been playing their international matches since 1901 and their first ever competitive victory over Uruguay 3-2.
Commonly referred to as La Seleccion, Argentina are top of the FIFA World ranking, but their most recent records have been below par with the team last winning a major trophy in 1993. Two-time World Cup winners have lost the 2014 final to Germany coming agonizingly close to the crown they last won in 1986. Javier Zanetti is the most capped player with 143 matches to his name while Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi with 124 and 108 respectively are the current team members with most games to their name.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is six goals short behind Gabriel Batistuta who is the team’s top scorer with 56 goals he scored playing for La Seleccion from 1991 to 2002.
