Argentina will be a dangerous team when it finally qualifies for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar because it can win in so many ways. It moved closer to booking that ticket with a hard-fought 1-0 in Uruguay and it didn't even need superstar Lionel Messi to carry it this time.

The Albiceleste (2nd, 28 points) scored a gem of a goal through Angel Di Maria, who wore the captain's armband in Messi's stead, and then held on for the shutout although Uruguay had it against the ropes on multiple occasions. Goalkeeper Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez was the standout for Argentina with several surehanded stops throughout the night as Uruguay tested him with several attacking flurries, outshooting Argentina 19-7.

Messi, who recently missed matches for his club team Paris Saint-Germain due to hamstring and knee injuries, started on the bench and entered for the final 15 minutes. It was more of a warmup stint for Messi, who didn't need to do much with Argentina sitting back and absorbing the Uruguay pressure. 

It was a disappointing result for Uruguay, which was left stuck in sixth place in a logjam of teams fighting for fourth- and fifth-place. Only the top four teams earn direct berths to Qatar 2022, while fifth-place earns a spot in a play-in series. Uruguay forward Luis Suarez hit the post in the first half, Matias Vecino came close and Agustin Alvarez had two decent looks toward the end of the match, but a decimated Uruguay team could not find a way to get on the board.

Argentina, which won the Copa America over the summer, extended its unbeaten run to 26 matches and counting. Next up is a must-watch match against qualifying leaders Brazil on Tuesday.

Source: Sporting News

BDST: 1245 HRS, NOV 13, 2021
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