Julian Alvarez Strike Secures Argentina’s 1-0 Victory Over Chile in World Cup Qualifier

Julian Alvarez fuels Argentina’s 1-0 win vs. Chile; Lionel Messi has quiet night off bench

Lionel Messi not start but entered as substitute as Argentina won, 1-0, against Chile in a World Cup qualifying match on Thursday night.

Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid scored in the 16th minute to fuel the defending World Cup champions who sit atop the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standing and already clinched spot in the 2026 tournament.

Messi began warming up early in the second half and entered in the 58th minute at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago Chile.

He played nearly 40 minutes during the match and turned in relatively quiet performance on the same day he was named MLS Player of the Month with Inter Miami.

Messi fired shot in the 67th minute that was deflected by a defender at the last moment. His free kick in 77th minute was on target but caught by the Chilean goalkeeper Brayan Cortes.

Messi delivered a stellar through ball from midfield to Giuliano Simeone in the 83rd minute, but Simeone was unable to provide the finish his shot was outside the net.

Although a quiet night the office, Messi got some work in with his beloved national team during an international break in the FIFA calendar.

Messi and Argentina will host Colombia in another World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET before he returns to South Florida for Inter Miami run in the FIFA Club World Cup. Messi will play in the opening match against Egyptian club Al Ahly on Saturday, June 14 in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Julian Alvarez goal: Argentina 1, Chile 0

GOL DA ARGENTINA

🇨🇱 Chile 0x1 Argentina 🇦🇷

⚽ Julián Álvarez
🅰️ Thiago Almada

🏆 Eliminatórias Da Conmebol | Rodada 16

📺 @sportv pic.twitter.com/pBVZqEqlsq

— Futeboleiros (@futteboleiros) June 6, 2025

Is Messi playing tonight in Chile?

Messi will not start and listed as a substitute in Argentina’s starting lineup for the Chile match.

🏆 #Eliminatorias

🙌 El once titular de la #Scaloneta para enfrentar a Chile

🕰 Desde las 22, en Santiago, 🇨🇱 🆚 🇦🇷 por la fecha 15 pic.twitter.com/8G2Z3hXVzB

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) June 6, 2025

How to watch Chile vs. Argentina match on TV and live stream?

The match will be broadcast by TYC Sports Internacional USA on DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV and Fubo. Fanatiz also has a pay-per-view live stream available.

When is the Chile vs. Argentina match?

Chile will host Argentina on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET (10 pm. in Argentina).

What did Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni say about Messi?

We have not decided yet whether he will start the game or not. I need to talk to him, especially because it would be good to know how he’s feeling physically. We hane talked about a lot of things, but not about this specifically Scaloni said about Messi Wednesday.

We are in a position where we can try other things, and in principle, he’s available to play We will see He had a good game last Saturday, so this guy is ready to play. We’ll decide how he is.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after winning Copa America final against Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium July 14, 2024.

How fit is Lionel Messi before Argentina match in Chile?

Messi 37, is coming off one of his super stretches in 2025, score 5 goals in his last 3 match with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. He named MLS Player of the Month after 7 goals and 4 assists in 7 matches in May. He score 2 goals with 3 assists in Inter Miami’s 5-1 win against Columbus Crew last Saturday.

When was the last time Messi played with Argentina?

He was scoreless in November as Julian Alvarez Argentina lost 2-1 to Paraguay on Nov. 14, 2024 and had the assist to Lautaro Martinez in a 1-0 win over Peru on Nov. 19, 2024.

Playing with Julian Alvarez Argentina before the MLS Cup playoffs last year Messi was scoreless in a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Oct. 11, 2024 then exploded with hat trick and two assists in a 6-0 victory over Bolivia on Oct. 15, 2024.

Messi was unable to play with Julian Alvarez Argentina in March against Uruguay and Brazil while he was recovering from adductor strain. Argentina beat Uruguay 1-0 on March 21, and beat Brazil 4-1 on March 25.

Match Summary

The match took place on June 5, 2025, Estadio Nacional in Santiago Chile. Argentina already qualified for the World Cup focus to maintain the top position in the CONMEBOL standings while Chile sought win to maintain their qualification hopes alive.

Key Moments

• 16th Minute Goal: Julian Alvarez scored the only goal of the match receiving a pass from Thiago Almada and chipping the ball over Chilean goalkeeper Brayan Cortes.

• Lionel Messi Appearance: Messi entered the match in the 57th minute but had limited impact with one free kick saved and a deflected shot leading to a corner.

• Franco Mastantuono Debut: At 17 years old Mastantuono became the youngest player to debut for Argentina in an official match coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute.

Standings Impact

Julian Alvarez this win Argentina solidified their lead in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, amassing 34 points and extending their advantage over second placed Ecuador. Chile on the other hand remained at 10 points, facing an uphill battle to secure a spot in the World Cup.

Looking Ahead

Julian Alvarez Argentina will next face Colombia in Buenos Aires while Chile will travel to play against Bolivia in El Alto. These matches are crucial as teams vie for qualification in the remaining fixtures.

Lionel Messi’s upcoming schedule with Argentina, Inter Miami

• June 10: Argentina vs. Colombia, 8 p.m. ET (World Cup qualifying)
• June 14: Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly, 8 p.m. ET (Club World Cup in Miami)
• June 19: Inter Miami vs FC Porto, 3 p.m. ET (Club World Cup in Atlanta)
• June 23: Inter Miami vs. Palmerias, 9 p.m. ET (Club World Cup in Miami)
• More..