Argentina edged to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a superb strike from former Atlanta United star Thiago Almada earned the2022 champions a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo.
Argentina looked to be headed for a draw after a tense tussle against a Uruguay side that defeated the Argentines 2-0 in Buenos Aires earlier in qualifying.
But Argentina grabbed all three points with a moment of magic that stunned Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.
Gathering the ball on the edge of the area, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder took a touch and uncorked a ferocious strike that flew into the top corner beyond the dive of Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
The only blemish for Argentina on an otherwise solid night’s work came deep into stoppage time when Nicolas Gonzalez was dismissed after catching Uruguay defender Nahitan Nandez with a high boot in a rash challenge.
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