The world champion had already sealed qualification and had the luxury of leaving Lionel Messi on the bench in Nunoa.

Just 16 minutes had gone when Alvarez produced a finish reminiscent of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in his pomp, racing on to Thiago Almada's pass then flicking the ball over the onrushing Brayan Cortes with the outside of his boot.

An early effort from Alexis Sanchez, which was parried well by Emiliano Martinez, was Chile's only shot on target in the first half, but it pushed for a leveller after the break.

Lucas Cepeda had three opportunities to drag Ricardo Gareca's hosts level but was unable to find the net from any of them.

First, he saw a fierce 20-yard strike beaten away by Martinez, then his curler from the right corner of the box deflected off Cristian Romero and onto the top of the crossbar.

Cepeda also volleyed wide at the far post in the 73rd minute as Argentina, which introduced Messi in place of Como prospect Nico Paz early in the second half, survived.

The Albiceleste could have had a second goal in the dying stages, but Giuliano Simeone somehow hit the side netting after rounding Cortes.

That miss ultimately meant little, though, as the visitors built an unassailable 10-point lead over Ecuador at the top of the CONMEBOL qualification group.

Chile, meanwhile, remains bottom. It is five points off the play-off spot with just three games remaining and saw its slim hopes of qualification extinguished when Venezuela beat Bolivia 2-0 later in the day.