Islamabad, June 6, 2025: Lionel Messi did not start, but entered as a substitute as in Chile vs Argentina, as Argentina won, 1-0 and Argentina national football team sealed its top spot in the WC 2026 qualifications.
Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madridmade the only goal of the game in the 16th minute and gave the defending World Cup champions an advantage, who sit at top of the World Cup qualifying standings.
Messi began warming up early in the second half, and entered in the 58th minute at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile.
He played nearly 40 minutes during the match, and gave a quiet performance on the same day he was named MLS Player of the Month with Inter Miami.
Messi fired a 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 Cortés.
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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..
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Up next, Argentina will take on Colombia in another qualifier on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. After that, Messi is set to rejoin Inter Miami for the Club World Cup, where he will feature in their opener against Al Ahly of Egypt on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
