Nigeria Premier League

World Cup qualifying: Argentina beat Bolivia without Messi as Brazil win late on against Peru

Argentina have won six successive matches since their penalty shootout win over France in the World Cup final in December

Argentina rested Lionel Messi but still beat Bolivia 3-0 to make it two wins from two in World Cup qualifying.

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring, with further strikes from Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez sealing victory in La Paz.

Brazil also secured their second win after beating Peru 1-0 thanks to a 90th-minute goal from Marquinhos.

Marcelo Bielsa suffered his first defeat in charge of Uruguay after Ecuador came from behind to win 2-1.

Bielsa’s side, who beat Chile on Saturday, took the lead through Agustin Canobbio, but a goal in each half from Felix Torres secured the win for Ecuador, who also missed a penalty through Enner Valencia.

Messi watched Argentina’s victory from the bench but was not listed among the substitutes having complained of tiredness after scoring the only goal in Wednesday’s win against Ecuador.

“Leo was not ready to play,” said boss Lionel Scaloni after the game. “He tried to recover, but he did not feel comfortable.”

Former Manchester United midfielder Angel di Maria captained the side in Messi’s absence and provided the cross for Fernandez to stroke home a first-half opener.

Bolivia forward Roberto Fernandez was then sent off for a high challenge on Cristian Romero, before Tagliafico headed home Di Maria’s free-kick before the break.

Julian Alvarez hit the post in the second half as the world champions continued to dominate, before Gonzalez wrapped up the win with a left-footed drive late on.

Brazil are the only other side in South American qualifying to make a perfect start but were frustrated for large periods by a defiant Peru side in Lima.

The game looked to be heading for a draw before Neymar’s in-swinging corner was glanced home at the near post by by Marquinhos.

Elsewhere, Chile and Colombia played out a goalless draw in Santiago, while a stoppage-time penalty from Salomon Rondon secured a 1-0 victory for Venezuela against Paraguay.

Abdul Noah Ocholi

Share
Published by
Abdul Noah Ocholi

Recent Posts

Wayne Rooney Compares Enzo Maresca To Mohamed Salah After Chelsea Boss’ Cryptic Outburst

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has found himself at the centre of intense debate after…

6 hours ago

Super Eagles Face Egypt In Crucial Pre-AFCON 2025 Friendly Showdown

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set for a major test as they face Egypt…

6 hours ago

Real Madrid Leave Xabi Alonso ‘Isolated’ As Leverkusen Chief Slams Perez Amid Sack Rumours

Real Madrid’s handling of Xabi Alonso has come under heavy criticism after Bayer Leverkusen CEO…

7 hours ago

Celtic Injury Nightmare As Iheanacho Suffers Fresh Hamstring Setback In League Cup Final

Celtic’s growing injury concerns took another painful turn after Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho was forced…

7 hours ago

AFCON 2025: Full List Of Prohibited Items Fans Cannot Bring Into Stadiums

As Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), organisers have unveiled…

7 hours ago

🏆⚽ Death, Devastation In Morocco: AFCON Host Communities Reeling Ahead Of Tournament

A tragic building collapse in Fez casts a shadow over one of Africa’s most anticipated…

7 hours ago