Peru's Alex Valera (23) and Peru's Sergio Pena chase Argentina's Lionel Messi during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
FIFA WC 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina Beat Peru 1-0 Thanks To Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martínez’s goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday in a South American World Cup qualifying match in Buenos Aires. The victory nearly secures Lionel Messi’s team a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Messi crossed the ball in the penalty area in the 55th minute to give Martínez one of the few clear opportunities of the match. Argentina leads South American qualifying with 25 points from 12 matches. The loss left Peru in the 10th and last position in the round-robin competition with seven points.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Peru's Jesus Castillo, right, and Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister vie for the ball | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Peru's Jesus Castillo, right, and Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister vie for the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring his side's opening goal | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Peru during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Lionel Messi embraces Lautaro Martinez after scoring opening goal | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Argentina's Lionel Messi embraces Lautaro Martinez after he scored the his side's opening goal against Peru during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Lautaro Martinez scores his side's opening goal against Peru | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scores his side's opening goal against Peru during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul grabs Peru's Sergio Pena | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul grabs Peru's Sergio Pena during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Peru's Luis Advincula, left, and Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello
Peru's Luis Advincula, left, and Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul fall during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Lionel Messi dribbles contested by Peru's Alexander Callens | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Argentina's Lionel Messi dribbles contested by Peru's Alexander Callens during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Football World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel shoots at Peru's goal | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello
Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel shoots at Peru's goal during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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