Argentina edge nearer to World Cup qualification with victory over Uruguay | Soccer Information – The Occasions of India

Argentina moved nearer to securing their spot within the 2026 World Cup after defeating Uruguay 1-0 in Montevideo on Friday, due to an excellent purpose from Thiago Almada.
The match gave the impression to be heading in the direction of a draw in opposition to Uruguay, who had beforehand defeated Argentina 2-0 in Buenos Aires through the qualifying rounds.
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The decisive second got here when Almada, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, acquired the ball on the sting of the realm and unleashed a robust shot into the highest nook, past Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet’s attain.
Argentina’s in any other case sturdy efficiency was barely marred in stoppage time when Nicolas Gonzalez acquired a pink card for a harmful excessive boot problem on Uruguay’s Nahitan Nandez.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed satisfaction along with his staff’s efficiency, significantly in Messi’s absence as a result of harm.
“How can I not be happy? Not only for the consequence — however for the way they gave it their all. The satisfaction comes from the truth that the staff performed an entire match. When one participant is lacking, one other is available in (…) we have now sufficient to exit onto the sphere calmly, however the staff is there.”
Argentina can grow to be the primary South American staff to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in america, Canada and Mexico in the event that they defeat Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
Argentina presently leads the South American qualifying group with 28 factors from 13 video games, adopted by Ecuador in second place with 22 factors and Brazil in third with 21 factors.
Uruguay holds fourth place with 20 factors from 13 matches, simply forward of Paraguay on purpose distinction.
The victory ensures Argentina at the very least a seventh-place end, making certain them a minimal of an inter-confederation playoff spot, with the highest six groups qualifying instantly for the World Cup.
In one other South American qualifier, Ecuador strengthened their qualification possibilities by defeating Venezuela 2-1, with veteran striker Enner Valencia scoring each targets.
Ecuador is pursuing their fifth World Cup look within the nation’s historical past.
Ecuador’s coach Sebastian Beccacece commented on the staff’s efficiency whereas emphasizing the significance of staying centered.
“When issues are going effectively, like immediately once we’ve received three video games in a row, we have now to be cautious, calm, humble, and have lots of self-discipline to proceed rising in what’s developing.”