In the clash between the former and current world champions, Thiago Almada made the difference with a stunning goal.
Uruguay dominated possession, but Argentina created more clear chances. Thiago Almada capitalized on one of those opportunities with a brilliant goal. His powerful shot from outside the box found the net. With this win in Uruguay’s home ground, defending champions Argentina moved closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni’s team clinched a 1-0 victory in the World Cup qualifier on Saturday morning, Bangladesh time. If they manage to earn at least one point against Brazil at home next Wednesday, their place in the next World Cup will be confirmed.
Uruguay had 55% possession and took six shots, two on target. In contrast, Argentina took 12 shots, four of which were on target.
Missing key attackers like Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Paulo Dybala, Argentina looked weaker upfront. Uruguay capitalized on this and kept pressing from the start. Even midfielder Almada dropped back to help with defense.
However, Argentina took the first shot on goal. In the 19th minute, Leandro Paredes attempted a shot from outside the box but missed the target. Eight minutes later, Enzo Fernandez’s weak curling shot was comfortably saved by Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet — the first shot on target for either team.
Struggling to break through Argentina’s solid defense, Uruguay’s midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta tried his luck from long range in the 33rd minute. However, a vigilant Emiliano Martinez dived to make the save.
Six minutes later, Julian Simeone’s excellent shot from a tight angle was saved for a corner by Rochet. From the resulting corner, Nicolas Otamendi, who captained Argentina in Messi’s absence, failed to keep his header on target.
In the 43rd minute, Rochet denied Almada with a diving save. The rebound fell to Fernandez, but Jose Maria Gimenez’s sliding block prevented the ball from going in — the best chance of the first half.
Argentina started the second half with a counterattack. In the 48th minute, Almada’s brilliant shot was barely deflected for a corner by Rochet. Three minutes later, a 35-yard strike from Fede Valverde was comfortably saved by Martinez.
In the 62nd minute, Rochet denied Simeone’s shot with his foot, delaying Argentina’s breakthrough. A minute later, Julian Alvarez’s excellent defense-splitting pass found Almada, but Rochet rushed out to clear the danger as Almada took a moment too long.
Six minutes later, Rochet was finally beaten. Alvarez’s cutback found Almada outside the box, and his powerful shot found the net. Rochet dived but couldn’t reach the ball.
Neither team created clear chances in the remaining time. In the fifth minute of added time, Argentina forward Nico Gonzalez received a straight red card for an unnecessary foul.
With nine wins and a draw from 13 matches, Argentina sits at the top of the South American standings with 28 points. Ecuador has climbed to second place with 22 points.
Brazil is third with 21 points, followed by Uruguay and Paraguay with 20 points each.
After three consecutive losses, Colombia has dropped to sixth with 19 points.
If Bolivia (13 points) loses their next match, Argentina’s place in the 2026 World Cup will be confirmed.
