Argentina took another step closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by beating Uruguay 1-0 in a Rio de la Plata derby played this Friday in Montevideo, which rewarded the world champion's spark in attack.

Without Lionel Messi, Argentina hit back at Uruguay, who beat them in this qualifying match in Buenos Aires in November 2023, with a superb shot from outside the box by Thiago Almada in the 68th minute.

La Scaloneta took advantage of Marcelo Bielsa's team's lack of coordination in midfield and the lack of intensity in an attack led by Darwin Núñez, who failed to trouble Emiliano Martínez.

The downside for the Argentine team was the final red card of Nicolás González (90+5‘) for a disqualifying kick on Nahitan Nández.

Argentina leads the qualifying round with 28 points, and a draw against archrival Brazil (third with 21) will seal their ticket to North America 2026. Uruguay is now fourth with 20 points and will now play Bolivia in El Alto.

With the victory, the reigning world champions moved 15 points clear of Bolivia, the team currently in the playoff zone, with five rounds of qualifying remaining. They also have a 31-goal advantage. With these numbers, their place in the World Cup is virtually assured.