Messi's junior scores, Argentina team holds ticket to World Cup 2026 in hand

On the morning of March 22 (Vietnam time), the Argentina team was without Messi, but had Thiago Almada, the player who scored the only goal to help Albiceleste defeat Uruguay 1-0 away, to secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in hand.

Argentina only needs to win one more match to officially qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Argentine team showed that the absence of captain Messi did not affect their strength. Coach Scaloni used emerging stars to play in the Albiceleste attack, such as Thiago Almada, for example, followed by Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez, who have grown up since the 2022 World Cup.

Julian Alvarez leads the attack of the Argentina national team

Photo: Reuters

Argentina's midfield strength remains the same with Enzo Fernandez and Mac Allister. Along with the experienced central defenders Otamendi and Cristian Romero, alongside veteran goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. This framework helps Albiceleste play very solidly, despite their captain, Messi, not being able to participate in this competition due to injury.

After a solid first half against a Uruguayan side that boasted some of the Premier League's top stars, including Bentancur, Darwin Nunez and Federico Valverde (of Real Madrid), Scaloni's side began to create some notable attacks in the second half, before Thiago Almada made the difference with a stunning opener in the 68th minute from outside the box.

Thiago Almada currently plays for Lyon (France), and is considered a talented player next to Messi. This player used to play in the MLS (USA) for Atlanta United, often facing his senior Messi, before moving to Botafogo and now coming to Lyon to take a new step in his career.

At the 2022 World Cup, Thiago Almada was part of the Argentina team, did not play any official matches, but still enjoyed full glory with the championship.

Thiago Almada scored the only goal for the Argentina team, ready to replace Messi in the future

Photo: Reuters

With the goal he just scored, and in Messi's absence, Thiago Almada has shown his remarkable progress, to gradually replace his senior in the future.

The win helped Argentina consolidate their top spot in the South American qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup, with 28 points from 13 matches. They only need one more win to officially qualify for the finals.

It would be perfect if Albiceleste completed this task four rounds early, by defeating rival Brazil at 7am on March 26 (Vietnam time) at home in Buenos Aires, in the next match.

Brazil (21 points) dropped to 3rd place because Ecuador (22 points, rose to 2nd place) defeated Venezuela 2-1 on the same day, March 22. Uruguay, from 2nd place, lost to Argentina, dropped to 4th place with 20 points. Next in line are Paraguay (also with 20 points, but with a lower goal difference), Colombia (19 points) and Bolivia, ranked 7th with 13 points, the Intercontinental play-off position.