Lautaro Martínez’s objective gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday in a South American World Cup qualifying match in Buenos Aires.

The victory practically secures Lionel Messi’s group a spot within the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Messi crossed the ball within the penalty space within the fifty fifth minute to present Martínez one of many few clear alternatives of the match.

Argentina leads South American qualifying with 25 factors from 12 matches. The loss left Peru within the tenth and final place within the round-robin competitors with seven factors.

Till Martínez scored, Argentina’s finest probability was within the twenty first minute, when striker Julián Alvarez hit the Peruvian goalkeeper’s proper submit. Messi as soon as once more had a modest efficiency, as he did in his group’s 2-1 defeat at Paraguay on Thursday.

Additionally on Tuesday, Ecuador gained 1-0 at Colombia with a objective by Enner Valencia within the seventh minute, through which he dribbled by means of three gamers earlier than scoring. Ecuador misplaced defender Piero Hincapié to a purple card within the thirty fourth minute however held on for the win.

Bolivia and Paraguay drew 2-2 in a match between groups that would find yourself preventing for the seventh place within the area’s qualifying, which secures a berth in a global playoff.

Chile, one of many worst performing groups within the area this yr, confirmed some preventing spirit and beat Venezuela 4-2. The hosts scored with Eduardo Vargas (20), Tomás Rincón (personal objective, 29), and Lucas Cepeda (38 and 47). Venezuela’s targets have been scored by Jefferson Savarino (13) and Ruben Ramirez (22).

Brazil hosted Uruguay in a late match.

The subsequent spherical of South American World Cup qualifying will likely be performed in March.