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2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Angel Di Maria Winner Puts Argentina On The Brink

Angel Di Maria’s objective on Friday put Argentina on the verge of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Qatar as Lionel Messi was on the bench for the 1-0 win away to Uruguay.

Lionel Messi was solely known as upon by coach Lionel Scaloni to play the ultimate quarter of an hour as he made his comeback from knee and hamstring points that noticed him miss Paris Saint-Germain’s final two matches. Di Maria’s chic early end on the Campeon del Siglo stadium in Montevideo was the distinction between the edges in a match dominated by Uruguay.

The end result means Argentina — who’re unbeaten in 26 matches — will qualify for the World Cup finals in the event that they beat Brazil on Tuesday and any one in every of Colombia, Chile or Uruguay fail to win.

“This team has great courage and when you don’t play well, you still have to win,” mentioned Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Angel Di Maria Winner Puts Argentina On The Brink

“Winning today was a huge step. We deserve it because we work very hard.”

The defeat left Uruguay in a World Cup play-off spot, behind Colombia and Chile within the ultimate two computerized qualification place on objective distinction.

Nahitan Nandez ought to have given Uruguay a fifth minute lead after Argentina did not cope with a protracted throw into the field.

A ricochet noticed the ball land at Nandez’s toes seven yards from objective and whereas Martinez did nicely to come back out shortly and unfold himself, Nandez’s end was poor and straight on the Aston Villa stopper.

Uruguay had been made to pay two minutes later as Paulo Dybala robbed a dawdling Joaquin Piquerez simply exterior the field and handed inside for Di Maria to stroke an excellent shot into the highest nook.

It was Argentina’s solely shot at objective within the first half.

Luis Suarez offered Uruguay’s major menace, as he has finished so many instances earlier than, and fired a free-kick narrowly over.

On the half hour he hit an instinctive volley in opposition to the put up earlier than snatching on the rebound together with his left foot and placing it vast.

Uruguay had been piling on the strain and Matias Vecino had an opportunity to revive parity on the finish of the primary half however shot too near Martinez.

After the break, Argentina continued to regulate possession with out creating possibilities, whereas Uruguay had been extra harmful, however with out testing Martinez.

Substitute Papu Gomez lastly received off Argentina’s second shot, simply earlier than the hour mark, however it flashed vast, whereas Martinez needed to backpedal to tip over a wayward Facundo Torres cross that seemed prefer it was dipping in behind the goalkeeper’s head.

With Uruguay pushing to salvage one thing from the sport, Joaquin Correa had a pair of possibilities on the break for Argentina however couldn’t take benefit.

Finally with 1 / 4 of an hour to play, Scaloni summoned Messi from the bench however he had little influence on the sport.

Uruguay substitute Agustin Alvarez had a gilt edged likelihood to grab a draw six minutes from time however his header from 5 yards landed on high of the web.

Moments later, Martinez let Alvarez’s shot squirm between his legs earlier than shortly spinning round to seize the ball behind him earlier than it crossed the road.

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