Argentina return to CONMEBOL World Cup qualification action having already secured their place at next year’s finals.
Lionel Scaloni’s world champions have run roughshod over a traditionally tough qualifying section, winning 10 of their 14 matches and amassing 31 points to sit top of the standings.
The Albiceleste are assured of a place in the expanded 2026 tournament with four games remaining, but things are very different for Thursday’s opponents Chile.
Back-to-back Copa America triumphs at Argentina’s expense in 2015 and 2016 feel like an ever-distant memory for La Roja.
After missing out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Ricardo Gareca’s squad are rock bottom of the 10-team CONMEBOL table, having won just twice in 14 outings.
Venezuela are five points better off in the inter-continental playoff spot, so all is not lost, but Chile need to turn back the clock to the middle of the previous decade when they frequently tormented Lionel Messi and company.
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Chile vs. Argentina predicted lineups, team news
Defender Paulo Diaz and midfielder Luciano Cabral each miss out through knee injuries for Chile.
America defender Igor Lichnovsky faces a late fitness check.
Veteran captain Alexis Sanchez is in the squad despite making just six starts for Udinese in Serie A this season and failing to score a goal. His old forward ally, Eduardo Vargas, has not made it.
Charles Aranguiz has left the squad due to injury.
Chile predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Cortes (GK) — Loyola, Maripan, Sierralta, Suazo — Vidal, Echeverria, Pizarro — Osorio, Sanchez, Valdes
Chile full roster
Goalkeepers: Brayan Cortes, Lawrence Vigoroux, Gabriel Castellon
Defenders: Fabian Hormazabal, Felipe Loyola, Nicolas Fernandez, Ivan Roman, Guillermo Maripan, Benjamin Kuscevic, Igor Lichnovsky, Francisco Sierralta, Gabriel Suazo, Esteban Matus, Matias Sepulveda
Midfielders: Rodrigo Echeverria, Esteban Pavez, Rodrigo Urena, Arturo Vidal, Marcelino Nunez, Vicente Pizarro, Javier Altamirano, Lucas Assadi
Forwards: Maximiliano Guerrero, Dario Osorio, Lucas Cepeda, Alexander Aravena, Victor Davila, Alexis Sanchez
Lionel Messi is back after missing the March internationals and closing in on 200 international caps. He could be joined in attack by Lautaro Martinez despite the striker’s late-season injury struggles with Inter Milan.
Premier League winner Alexis Mac Allister is absent with an undisclosed injury, while Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Among four uncapped players in Scaloni’s squad is 17-year-old River Plate sensation Franco Mastantuono, a reported target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Four players will sit this game out due to suspension: Nicolas Otamendi, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Gonzalez.
Argentina predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Balerdi, Tagliafico — De Paul, Palacios, Barrenechea — Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez
Argentina full roster
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Enzo Fernandez, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, Enzo Barrenechea, Franco Mastantuono
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Angel Correa, Giuliano Simeone
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Chile vs. Argentina score prediction
Despite Chile having no remaining margin for error and Argentina already being through, the differential in quality and collective confidence is too much right now to predict anything other than an away win.
Predicted score: Chile 1-3 Argentina
How to watch Chile vs. Argentina: Live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | Date | Kickoff Time | TV | Streaming |
| USA | Thu, June 5 | 9:00 p.m. ET | — | Fanatiz, Fubo |
| Canada | Thu, June 5 | 9:00 p.m. ET | — | Fanatiz |
| UK | Fri, June 6 | 2:00 a.m. BST | — | Fanatiz |
| Australia | Fri, June 6 | 12:00 p.m. AEST | — | SBS On Demand |
| India | Fri, June 6 | 7:30 a.m. IST | — | FanCode |
