Julian Alvarez's goal guided a youthful Argentina team to a 1-0 win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, leaving La Roja's hopes of reaching the tournament hanging by a thread.

The world champions 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 onto 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 they 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 – who 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, remain bottom. They are five points off the play-off spot with just three games remaining and will see their slim hopes of qualification extinguished if Venezuela beat Bolivia on Friday.

Data Debrief: South America's finest

Argentina's victory guarantees they will finish top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification group for the third time this century, also doing so for the 2002 and 2014 tournaments.

Of course, they won their third World Cup in 2022 after failing to do so for that edition, finishing second behind Brazil, so Lionel Scaloni will be aware that they need to back up these performances in the United States.

Alvarez was the hero on Thursday, having formed part of a strong Atletico Madrid contingent. He was one of four Atleti players in the Argentina lineup, alongside Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina.  

He also netted in March's 4-1 rout of Brazil and has now netted in back-to-back appearances for Argentina for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, when he did so against Poland and Australia.