Lautaro Martínez Leads Argentina to Victory Over Peru in World Cup Qualifiers

Buenos Aires: Lautaro Martínez Leads Argentina to Victory Over Peru in World Cup Qualifiers Lautaro Martínez emerged as the hero for Argentina in their 1-0 triumph over Peru during Tuesday’s South American World Cup qualifying match. Held in Buenos Aires, the victory inches Lionel Messi and his team closer to securing a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Lautaro Martínez Leads Argentina to Victory Over Peru in World Cup Qualifiers

Martínez Breaks the Deadlock

The decisive moment came in the 55th minute when Messi delivered a precise cross into the penalty area, setting up Martínez for one of the match’s few clear scoring opportunities. The striker seized the moment, slotting the ball past Peru’s defense to give Argentina the lead.

Earlier in the game, Argentina’s best chance arrived in the 21st minute when Julián Álvarez struck the right post of Peru’s goalkeeper. Despite Argentina dominating possession, clear-cut opportunities were rare, and Messi, like in the recent 2-1 loss to Paraguay, had a subdued performance.

Argentina’s Dominance Continues

With this win, Argentina solidifies its lead in South American World Cup qualifying, boasting 25 points from 12 matches. In stark contrast, Peru languishes at the bottom of the standings, sitting 10th with just seven points.

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Other Matches in South American Qualifying

The day’s other fixtures saw a mix of dramatic results:

Ecuador Stuns Colombia: Enner Valencia’s seventh-minute wonder goal secured a 1-0 victory for Ecuador in an away match against Colombia. Despite losing defender Piero Hincapié to a red card in the 34th minute, Ecuador displayed grit and held on for the win.
Bolivia and Paraguay Draw: A thrilling 2-2 encounter between Bolivia and Paraguay showcased the determination of both teams, who remain contenders for the seventh position—securing an international playoff berth.
Chile Surges Past Venezuela: In one of the most action-packed matches, Chile triumphed 4-2 against Venezuela, breaking their poor form in the competition. Eduardo Vargas, Lucas Cepeda, and an own goal by Tomás Rincón contributed to Chile’s victory, while Jefferson Savarino and Ruben Ramirez found the net for Venezuela.

Later in the evening, Brazil hosted Uruguay in a match anticipated to shake up the standings further.

Looking Ahead

With the next round of qualifiers set for March, Argentina’s position at the top looks secure. However, the race for other spots remains intense as South American teams continue battling for the coveted berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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