Chile launch a last, desperate surge into the box in front of some nervous fans, but the defence takes care of everything. Looks like that will be that.
90' +1
E. Paredes enters the game and replaces C. Aránguiz.
Argentina are furious after two calls go against them. First, Messi was clattered on the counter, but the referee swallowed his whistle. Chile soon turned the ball over, but Higuain's advance into the box was snuffed out by a foul against the attacker.
Aranguiz picked up a knock in that last sequence, and he's brought off for Paredes.
89'
Yellow card for Hernandez for a late challenge on Otamendi, who has been everywhere!
Vargas plays the ball nto the feet of Valdivia, who turns into space but fails to pick the pass for the overlapping Isla, as Rojo makes an important interception.
86'
P. Hernández gets yellow.
IMPORTANT HEADER! Aranguiz and Vargas combine to free Isla deep inside the area, but with options lining up, his delivery is nodded out for a corner by Otamendi.
Yellow card Pedro Pablo Hernández
83'
Chile sure love that high line. They organise their defence in such a fashion to deal with another deep Argentina free-kick, and this time, they didn't even need to worry as Banega's delivery is out for a goal-kick.
80'
WHAT A POOR FINISH THAT WAS! Argentina were really exposed as Sanchez slipped a reverse ball down the line for Beausejour, whose low cross took a deflection and was stabbed wide by Castillo.
77'
F. Roncaglia enters the game and replaces G. Mercado.
Roncaglia has been brought on for the stricken Mercado.
76'
The free-kick hasn't even been taken yet with the game held up due to an injury. The mobile stretcher is called for as Mercado can play no further part in this game.
74'
G. Higuaín gets yellow.
N. Otamendi gets yellow.
Silly foul from Higuain, whose opponent was going nowhere, yet he still felt the need to clip him.
Minute
Description
73'
JUUUUST OUTSIDE THE AREA! Argentina are a split second too slow to close down a loose ball and Sanchez is on it in a flash, skipping past two players before Otamendi brings him down right on the 18-yard line.
70'
J. Valdivia enters the game and replaces F. Silva.
El Mago, Jorge Valdivia has entered the game, and if anyone can produce a moment of magic to open a game up, it's him. Silva heads off.
69'
That nearly ended in embarrassment for Argentina as both Mascherano and Otamendi went for a high ball, with Vargas storming between them and coming close to profiting from an awkward bounce.
66'
You get the sense that Argentina are beginning to slow the game down and solidify what they have. Make no mistake, if this win pans out it would be vital - a qualification six-pointer, if you will.
63'
OFF THE CROSSBAR! Chile finally threaten, with Sanchez crashing a tremendous free-kick off the frame of the goal. Romero could only watch as that one rebounded, with Castillo nearly picking up the pieces.
60'
Di Maria makes the move of the night, spinning on a dime to rid himself of a marker before setting Rojo in motion out wide. The full-back tees up Messi inside the area, but the Barca man was almost on top of the ball as he sliced it over.
58'
É. Banega enters the game and replaces S. Agüero.
Aguero's night is at an end with Banega entering the fray.
57'
It's hard not to be disappointed with Chile as an attacking unit in this game, showing none od the desire that typifies their usual play. You would think, given what's at stake, they would have made more of an effort.
55'
N. Castillo enters the game and replaces J. Fuenzalida.
Nicolas Castillo has been introduced for Fuenzalida, whose forgettable night is an end.
54'
Mercado does excellently out wide, storming down the right flank to get into crossing position, but his low delivery is easily dealt with by the defence. Disjointed second half so far.
51'
Argentina win a free-kick on the near side, and they line up against that high defensive line that nearly backfired on Chile towards the end of the first half. However, this time, Messi's delivery is dealt with.
48'
Slow beginning to the second period of the game. Chile will need more from their attack, especially Sanchez, who may be well below full fitness and might not last the 90.
46'
M. Musacchio enters the game and replaces E. Más.
Off we go again.
Emanuel Mas, probably still feeling that earlier collision, heads off to be replaced by Mateo Musacchio.
44'
WHAT A MISS FROM OTAMENDI! Only he will know how he blazed that over from point-blank range. The ball dropped perfectly for him at the goalmouth after a free-kick but he could not keep his composure.
41'
Chile are doing a good job of keeping Argentina penned back, but the hosts are doing even better to make them reset virtually every attack by repelling them on the edge of the box.
39'
Gary Medel, formerly a midfielder but who plays almost exclusively now for Chile as a centre-back, has the ball just inside the Argentina half, but there aren't many options for him besides a sideways pass.
36'
Messi loses out to Sanchez, and Vargas pounces on the scraps to advance to the edge of the box, but there's no route through to goal as the defence shepherd him into a turnover.
34'
Again, what should have been a simple pass turns into a massive problem for Chile, as Silva's pass out wide to Sanchez takes a misdirection mid air and sails out of play.
31'
Good pressing from Argentina to force Chile back to Bravo more than once. We've not seen the typical energy and movement that we've come to expect from the visiting side.
29'
You get the sense that this game might see a red card at some point, not because it's been particularly violent, but because the lack of cohesion is leading some players into making rash decisions.
26'
The pitch here is really spongy, with a lot of passes that you would expect to find their target going astray. It's leading to a lack of real goalscoring chances since Messi broke the deadlock.
23'
Some lovely movement from Chile at the top of the box sees Sanchez try to skip away to the near side, but he's sent flying by a terrible challenge from Rojo, which somehow doesn't warrant a yellow card.
20'
The Argentina left-back Emanuel Mas is down on the deck after colliding midair with his own goalkeeper Sergio Romero. It's left him winded, but i don't think the blow really landed on his head, which means he's fine to continue.
18'
J. Mascherano gets yellow.
Mascherano is booked for a careening foul and the fire has been lit under this game.
16'
Penalty goal scored by L. Messi for Argentina!
MESSI SINKS IT! The skipper keeps his cool and slots the penalty home, sending his one-time teammate Claudio Bravo the wrong way.
15'
J. Fuenzalida gets yellow.
PENALTY TO ARGENTINA! The referee had no doubt about that. Fuenzalida made contact with Di Maria, who went down, and the decision was made.
13'
This is looking better for Argentina as they're getting their front four in a position to run at the defence in space. Chile are retreating and have to keep poised.
11'
C. Aránguiz gets yellow.
First booking of the game falls to Aranguiz, who wrestles back Messi in the centre of the park. That came after a scramble between three players allowed the Barca man to pounce on the loose ball.
9'
Chile are clearly growing into the game here with every passing minute. Argentina try to work a spell of possession in midfield, but it falls flat as Aguero's throughball is intercepted by Gary Medel.
6'
GOAL RULED OUT! Chile are furious as the flag goes up on the far side as Jose Fuenzalida headed in Charles Aranguiz's flick from Sanchez's cross. However, the assistant was spot on.
3'
Not a whole lot happening out on the pitch at the moment. A lot will depend on the fitness of Sanchez for Chile, who was selected despite an ankle injury that Arsene Wenger did not like the look of.
1'
Off we go!
Beausejour works into a good crossing position, but the ball in handled (not literally) by Otamendi, and moments later, Sanchez commits a turnover with a poor pass.
Hello and welcome to our live commentary of the Conmebol qualifier between Argentina and Chile at Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires. One point separates the hosts from the visitors in fifth and sixth respectively. Tonight's game has massive implications in the race to Russia.
Argentina have won three of their five previous meetings with Chile, but those two W's for la Roja both came on penalties, and clinched consecutive Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016. Their fortunes in the international break last November were mixed, with a 3-0 defeat to Brazil followed by a triumph over Colombia by the same score line.
For Chile, a win would strengthen their grip on the playoff spot and leave them with a four-point cushion over la Albiceleste. This could go down to the final matchday though, because second and sixth are separated by four points. One of the top six will have to give eventually.
Argentina (4-2-3-1): Romero; Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo, Mas; Biglia, Mascherano; Messi, Aguero, Di Maria; Higuain.
Argentina are missing Paulo Dybala with a minor injury, so the spotlight will again be on the underperforming attacking unit of Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi. Chile have Arturo Vidal suspended and Marcelo Diaz on the treatment table, but Pablo Hernandez and Francisco Silva start.
The referee sends both sides into the dressing rooms and Chile should be thankful that they're not 2-0 down after an inexplicable miss from Otamendi to end the half. The visitors have to up their game, simple as that. Messi's penalty is the difference between the sides at the moment. Stay tuned for the restart soon.
That's it. It was ugly and painful, but a W's a W. Argentina pick up a vital three points to thrust themselves back into the automatic qualifying places thanks to Messi's first-half penalty. Chile laboured throughout and didn't do enough to deserve much more than what they got. That's us wrapped, thanks for tuning in!
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