Try as Chile and his teammates might, Lionel Messi remained on course to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. When they get there, Messi’s teammates and the opposition might get the better of him, but tonight was not their night. Messi converted a penalty after a soft call in the box and Argentina hung on for a 1-0 victory in Buenos Aires.
¡PENAL PARA LA @Argentina! @TeamMessi sin titubear supera a su ex-compañero @C1audioBravo para el 1-0 #Eliminatorias https://t.co/8vu4cHLs2z
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 23, 2017
The rest of the match went like this: Messi passes to Gonzalo Higuain, he fires wide. Messi passes to Angel Di Maria, Di Maria’s shot is saved. Messi passes to Aguero, Aguero fires wide. Messi crosses it to Higuain, Higuain heads wide. Alexis Sanchez hits the bar.
¡UFF! El niño maravilla @Alexis_Sanchez le pega al travesaño y luego Castillo hace sudar a Romero #Eliminatorias https://t.co/3la6cHao3w
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 24, 2017
Lionel Messi climbed to third in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, Chile sank to sixth. Next up for Lionel Messi is a tricky trip to La Paz to play his teammates and Bolivia at extreme altitude. Chile, meanwhile, host Venezuela in a must-win match in Santiago.