Argentina leads South American qualifying with 25 points from 12 matches. The loss left Peru in the 10th and last position in the round-robin competition with seven points.

Messi dribbled through the Peru defense before sending in a curling cross to the center of the penalty area for Martínez to hammer home with a stunning volley.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina will be on the verge of confirming a 2026 World Cup if it beats Peru in Buenos Aires in South American qualifying on Tuesday

Lionel Messi reaches a significant milestone by equaling Landon Donovan’s international assist record in the final match of 2024.

Lautaro Martínez's goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday in a South American World Cup qualifying match in Buenos Aires. The victory nearly secures Lionel Messi's team a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States,

Lionel Messi will play his final match of the calendar year on Tuesday with the Argentina national team in a World Cup qualifying match against Peru.

Its main continental rivals Brazil drew 1-1 against Uruguay in Salvador, Brazil with two impressive goals in an otherwise lackluster match. Federico Valverde gave Uruguay the lead with a curled shot from the edge of the box,

La Albiceleste scraped by with a narrow 1-0 victory, with Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez connecting for the winner in the second half