Argentina vs Chile Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL) | Group Stage
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The defending world champions managed to make it back-to-back CONMEBOL Copa America triumphs as Lionel Scaloni’s all-conquering Argentinians return home this week and welcome Chile in the next round of CONMEBOL qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 6th September, 2024 - UK – 1:00am / Thursday 5th September, 2024 - US ET – 8:00pm / US PT – 5:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz
ARGENTINA PREVIEW: DIFFICULT TO BEAT
In what is the twilight of Lionel Messi’s international career, Argentina have now managed three successive major tournament wins as they now begin early preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The three-time world champions have developed an aura of invincibility in recent years even when not at their absolute best and that was shown at the CONMEBOL Copa America this summer with a penalty shootout win and an extra-time victory required in that tournament.
CHILE PREVIEW: UNDERPERFORMING CHILEANS
In that tournament this summer, Chile, now under the management of former Peru boss Ricardo Gareca, were pretty underwhelming as they crashed out in the group stages without a victory.
Ricardo Gareca is known for a progressive and fairly attacking style of football but they failed to even score a goal with goalless draws against his former side Peru as well as against Canada sandwiching a 1-0 loss to the Argentinians.
ARGENTINA TEAM NEWS: DI MARIA RETIRED, MESSI ABSENT
Lionel Messi has been rested from Lionel Scaloni’s expanded squad so the Inter Miami forward will not be involved for this one, whilst, now an Argentina legend, Angel Di Maria has announced his international retirement over the summer.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Romero, Martinez, Barco; Gonzalez, Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
CHILE TEAM NEWS: NO CAPTAIN
After rejoining Udinese this summer, Chile captain Alexis Sanchez has been struggling with injury so he is not involved for this break. Claudio Bravo has announced his international retirement, whilst Gary Medel has also missed out on this squad.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Gabriel Arias; Isla, Guillermo Maripan, Paulo Diaz, Eugenio Mena; Rodrigo Echeverria, Erick Pulgar; Osorio, Marcelino Nunez, Victor Davila; Eduardo Vargas
UNAVAILABLE: Sanchez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ARGENTINA VS CHILE PREDICTION
Argentina are a supreme side. Even as they have moved into this new era of winning everything, they have still often relied upon the brilliance of Lionel Messi so this international break will be interesting to see how they adapt without both him and Angel Di Maria. Chile are typically hard working but, especially with the absence of Alexis Sanchez, there is a lack of quality in the side so the Argentinians are the firm favourites, especially with their home advantage.
ARGENTINA VS CHILE TIP: ARGENTINA TO WIN
