Montevideo: An early goal from Angel Di Maria put Argentina on the brink of qualification for the World Cup with a 1-0 win against Uruguay who were unlucky enough to not get any goals even with unparalleled effort.
Argentina had started without Lionel Messi who chose to sit-out following a hamstring as well as knees injury. Although attempting to recover from the prior 3-0 loss at the hands of Lionel Scaloni’s men , Uruguay had put in a strong start but a moment of brilliance from Di Maria was enough to foil all their efforts. Uruguayan left back Joaquin Piquerez lost the possession, right outside the penalty area, and the experienced Argentine put the shot past in with a sublime curler rendering Fernando Muslera useless.
GOOOAL Angel Di Maria, El Fideo just curls the ball In after La Joya Dybala wins the ball. The PSG man with a exceptional goal, Argentina 1-0 against Uruguay🔥pic.twitter.com/4E0PQlZPQV
— footballnews (@footynews34) November 12, 2021
Emiliano Martinez had to work really hard to keep his team in the lead as Luis Suarez tested his worth quite a number of times. Martinez was more than fortunate in the dying minutes when first Julian Alvarez put a free header over the bar and then the keeper fumbled a long range shot but was able to recover before it crept into the net behind him. Although Lionel Messi came on with 14 minutes of regulation time remaining he couldn’t make much of an impact.
With the win, Argentina are now 26 games unbeaten, at sit at the second spot in the CONMEBOL qualifiers table with 28 points six behind Brazil who have already advanced to the tournament. Uruguay sit at fourth tied with Chile.
Argentina will be facing Brazil next and win in the tie will ensure their spot in the grand FIFA 2022 World Cup.
