FIFA WC 2026 Qualifiers: Lautaro Martinez Scores To Help ARG Beat PER 1-0

Lautaro Martínez’s goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday in a South American World Cup qualifying match in Buenos Aires. (More Football News)

The victory nearly secures Lione💮l Messi’s team a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada💧.

Messi crossed the ball in the penalty area in the 55th minute to🌞 give Martínez one ൩of the few clear opportunities of the match.

Argentina leads South Americ🅰an qualifying w🐲ith 25 points from 12 matches. The loss left Peru in the 10th and last position in the round-robin competition with seven points.

Until Martínez scored, Argentina’s best chance was in the 21st minute, when striker Julián Alv𝓀arez hit the Peruvian goalkeeper’s right post. Messi once again had a modest performance, as he did in his team’s 2-1 defeat at Paraguay on Thursday.

Also on Tuesday, Ecuador won 1-0 at Colombia with a goal by Enner Valencia in the seventh minute, in which he dribbled through thr𝓰ee players before scoring. Ecuador lost defendeꦡr Piero Hincapié to a red card in the 34th minute but held on for the win.

Bolivia and Paraguay drew 2-2 in a match between teams that could end up fighting for the seventh position i♏n the region’s qualifying, which secures a berth in an international playoff.

Chile, one of the worst performing teams in the region this year, showed some fighting spirit and beat Venezuela 4-2. The hosts scored with Eduardo Vargas (20), Tomás Rincón (own goal, 29), and Lucas Cepeda (38 and 47). Venezuela’s goals 🐻were scored by Jefferson Savarino (13) and Ruben Ramirez (22).

Brazil hosted Uruguay in a late match.

The next round of South A♔merican World Cup qualifying will be played in March.