23 March 2025
Argentina moved closer to securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup after defeating hosts Uruguay 1-0 on Saturday in the 13th round of the South American qualifiers for the tournament. Thiago Almada scored Argentina's winning goal with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area in the 68th minute, securing the visitors three crucial points in what was a very difficult encounter.
The world champions now have 28 points, leading the group.
Argentina now needs just one point in their highly anticipated match against their arch-rivals Brazil next Wednesday to secure their place in the World Cup finals.
The Argentine national team, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, is 15 points ahead of seventh-place Bolivia with only five rounds remaining in the qualifiers.
Earlier, Ecuador defeated Venezuela 2-1 to move into second place and move closer to qualifying for the World Cup.
Brazil is in third place with 21 points, one point ahead of Uruguay and Paraguay, while Colombia is in sixth place with 19 points.
The top six teams in the South American qualifiers automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the seventh-place team still has a chance to qualify for the World Cup, as they will enter the FIFA play-offs.
