Lautaro Martinez Turns PRIME Maradona With Incredible GOAL For Argentina Against Peru in Qualifiers

Argentina won 1-0 against Peru at La Bombonera on November 20, 2024, in a closely fought World Cup Qualifier. Expertly turning a cross from Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez scored pivotal goal in 55th minute. With 74%, Argentina controlled possession; it took 10 shots compared to Peru's 2 and h a high pass accuracy of 91%. With 25 points, this game confirmed Argentina's top place in CONMEBOL rankings and was ir eighth qualifying victory; Peru stayed bottom with only 7 points.

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Argentina beats Peru to close in on World Cup spot; Brazil and Uruguay draw

Lautaro Martínez’s goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday in a South American qualifying match in Buenos Aires and left hosts close to a spot in 2026 World Cup in United States, Mexico and Cana.

Its main continental rivals Brazil drew 1-1 against Uruguay in Salvor, Brazil with two impressive goals in an orwise lackluster match. Federico Valverde gave Uruguay le with a curled shot from edge of box, and Gerson netted his first for Brazil in similar fashion at Arena Fonte Nova.

Argentina les South American qualifying with 25 points from 12 matches, five points clear of its closest competitor, Uruguay. Ecuor and Colombia are next with 19 points each.

Brazil lags in fifth position with 18 points after several uninspiring performances, still hoping that striker Neymar will return from injury and fit in again. Paraguay, with 17 points, is in sixth place.

South American qualifying will give six direct berths in next World Cup. Seventh-place Bolivia, with 13 points, is in international playoff position. Venezuela (12), Chile (9), and Peru (7) are out of qualifying spots.

next round of South American World Cup qualifying will be played in March.

Uninspiring Argentina

Martínez’s goal was his 32nd for national team, which puts him level with legendary Diego Marona.

Until Martínez scored, Argentina’s best chance was in 21st minute, when striker Julián Alvarez hit Peruvian goalkeeper’s right post. Messi once again h a modest performance, as he did in his team’s 2-1 defeat at Paraguay on Thursday.

Messi crossed ball in penalty area in 55th minute to give Martínez one of few clear opportunities of match. striker moved his body with more grace than power to put ball in back of next.

Despite disappointing performance at home, Lionel Messi’s team will finish year with few question marks beyond its performances in November.

“We won Copa America, we le South American World Cup qualifying,” said goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. “We must be proud of ourselves.”

Jeers for Brazil

Brazil fans at home in Salvor jeered ir team after final whistle. In a match with few opportunities for eir side, Uruguay seemed closer to winning for most of second half.

Valverde opened scoring in 55th minute after Brazilian defenders failed three times to clear ball from ir penalty area. Real Mrid midfielder hit ball to left corner to score. Gerson equalized in 61st minute.

Striker Raphinha said he understood frustration from his team’s fans, but disagreed with m.

“We played great. We did everything we could to leave here with a victory. We must have our hes high up, it will be very tough to beat us,” he said.

Also on Tuesday, Ecuor won 1-0 at Colombia with a goal by Enner Valencia in seventh minute, in which he dribbled through three players before scoring. Ecuor lost defender Piero Hincapié to a red card in 34th minute but held on for win.

Bolivia and Paraguay drew 2-2 in a match between teams that could end up fighting for seventh position in region’s qualifying. Chile, one of worst performing teams in region this year, showed some fighting spirit and beat Venezuela 4-2.

(AP)