The former Atlanta United star bagged the only goal to carry Lionel Scaloni's men a step closer to the 2026 World Cup
With no Lionel Messi for help, Thiago Almada played hero for Argentina Friday night, scoring the only goal in an otherwise drab affair to give his side a 1-0 win over Uruguay in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
The first half was defined by its relative lack of action. Both sides settled into a midfield scrap, with few chances to speak of. Argentina came closest when Enzo Fernandez had a shot cleared away from close range.
Little changed after the break. The game became a brutally untidy affair, with forward passes and goalscoring opportunities coming at a premium. Almada changed things, though. Afforded space for the first time all evening, the former Atlanta United attacking midfielder received the ball on the left, cut onto his stronger right foot, and unleashed a wonderful curling effort into the top corner.
Argentina sat in otherwise. There were a couple of half-hearted forays forward, but the Albiceleste mostly pulled off a wonderful act of game management. This wasn't a pretty one by any means, and they aren't the same team without their leader in Messi, but it remains an important step towards the World Cup.
GOAL rates Argentina's players from Estadio Centenario…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Emi Martinez (6/10):
Got into a scary clash with one of his defenders in the first half – but played on. Nothing else to do.
Nahuel Molina (5/10):
Pretty easily exploitable at right-back, and was beaten in one-on-ones here and there.
Christian Romero (6/10):
Didn't have much to do other than keep the ball moving – which he did a fine job of.
Nicolas Otamendi (6/10):
Given a tough go of things by the lively Darwin Nunez, but came out on top. Made a couple of key interventions.
Nicolas Tagliafico (7/10):
Pressed reasonably high on the left, and won the ball back on a few occasions. Involved in the run-up to the only goal.
AdvertisementGettyMidfield
Leandro Paredes (8/10):
Excellent at the base of midfield. Won the most duels in the match and moved the ball well under pressure.
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):
Started well, and was up for the fight throughout. Broke midfield lines with a couple of useful marauds forward.
Enzo Fernandez (5/10):
Rather wasteful on a couple of occasions, and didn't connect play well enough. Hasn't shown up for his country since the World Cup.
GettyAttack
Giuliano Simeone (5/10):
Full of legs and effort, but didn't offer much in the way of final product.
Julian Alvarez (5/10):
Struggled to make an impact as the lone No.9. Functions better with a man just off him or in a two-striker setup.
Thiago Almada (8/10):
A few nice touches in the first half. Curled in an absolute beauty to win it in the second.
GettySubs & Manager
Nico Gonzalez (4/10):
Valuable extra legs in midfield, and then got sent off for an awful challenge.
Exequiel Palacios (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Leonardo Balderi (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Angel Correa (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Lionel Scaloni (7/10):
Went with his strongest XI given the Messi-less situation. His team wasn't exactly wonderful, but it took its one real chance and didn't let up anything at the other end. A solid away performance.
