On the evening of June 5, 2025, the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago was charged with anticipation as Chile faced off against Argentina in a crucial CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifier. For Chile, known as La Roja, the match was a make-or-break moment in their faltering campaign to secure a spot in the upcoming tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Argentina, already a dominant force in the standings, arrived with their sights set on maintaining their top position. In a tense 1-0 victory for La Albiceleste, a brilliant first-half goal by Julian Alvarez shattered Chile’s hopes, effectively ending their dreams of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The High Stakes
Heading into Matchday 15 of the CONMEBOL qualifiers, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for Chile. Sitting at the bottom of the table with just 10 points after 14 matches, La Roja needed a win to close the gap to the seventh position—the final spot for an inter-confederation playoff. A victory against Argentina would have brought them within two points of Venezuela, who held that playoff spot with 15 points. However, a loss would widen the gap to eight points with only nine left to play for, making qualification nearly impossible. Argentina, on the other hand, were in a commanding position with 31 points, already qualified for the World Cup, and looking to cement their dominance in the region.
The historical rivalry between these two South American giants added an extra layer of intensity. Chile has long struggled against Argentina in recent qualifiers, with their last victory over La Albiceleste in a competitive match dating back to the 2016 Copa América Centenario final. For Chile, this was not just about points—it was about pride and a chance to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
The Match: A Tale of Two Halves
The game kicked off at 9:00 PM ET on June 5, 2025, with referee Jesus Valenzuela overseeing the proceedings. Chile started brightly, showing urgency in their play. In the opening minutes, a mistake by Argentina’s Nahuel Molina gifted the ball to Alexis Sanchez, who fired a powerful shot that was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. It was a promising start for the hosts, but their early momentum quickly faded.
Argentina soon took control, dictating the tempo with their characteristic patience. In the 16th minute, their persistence paid off. Thiago Almada, a rising star for La Albiceleste, made a blistering run into Chile’s final third before delivering a precise pass to Julian Alvarez. The Atletico Madrid forward, one-on-one with goalkeeper Brayan Cortez, showed composure beyond his years, delicately chipping the ball over Cortez and into the net. The stadium fell silent as Argentina celebrated, with Alvarez’s strike giving them a 1-0 lead.
Chile tried to respond, but Argentina’s defense, anchored by Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi, held firm. The first half ended with La Albiceleste in control, comfortably managing the game and nearly doubling their lead when Giuliano Simeone crossed for Rodrigo De Paul, whose shot sailed over the bar.
The second half saw a resurgent Chile, spurred on by their desperate situation. Manager Ricardo Gareca made tactical adjustments, bringing on younger, quicker players like Marcelino Nuñez and Victor Davila to inject energy into the attack. Chile’s efforts bore fruit with several close chances, including a free-kick along the left flank that forced a brilliant save from Emiliano Martinez. Despite their pressure, La Roja couldn’t find the back of the net, with two particularly promising opportunities sailing wide.
Argentina, meanwhile, shifted to a five-back defense to protect their slender lead. Lionel Messi, who came off the bench in the 57th minute after a seven-month absence due to injury,