Argentina Seeks Redemption Against Peru in World Cup Qualifiers

Argentina is set to take to the pitch for the final time this calendar year in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Peru. The match will be held at the iconic La Bombonera stadium, where Lionel Scaloni‘s team aims to secure a crucial victory following a surprising defeat by Paraguay.

In their previous encounter, Argentina was unable to maintain an early lead secured by striker Lautaro Martínez, ultimately succumbing to a 2–1 defeat. Despite the setback, Argentina remains in first place in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification standings, with 22 points amassed from 11 matches. A victory against Peru would allow Argentina to extend their lead over second-place Uruguay, contingent on Uruguay’s performance against Brazil.

The Argentine squad has suffered some setbacks with injuries, notably that of Cristian Romero, who left the field injured after halftime against Paraguay. His absence could see Leonardo Balerdi partnering with veteran Nicolás Otamendi in defense. Addressing the team’s performance, Scaloni stated, «We must remain focused and work on what went wrong. Injuries are part of the game, but the squad has depth to handle these challenges.»

In goal, Emiliano Martínez is expected to retain his spot as the starting goalkeeper, while Nahuel Molina will aim to improve upon his previous performance against Paraguay. Nicolás Tagliafico will likely manage the left side of the defense. The midfield is anticipated to be anchored by Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, with Exequiel Palacios also possibly featuring.

Offensively, Argentina will look to Lionel Messi, who is eager to regain his scoring form. The match against Peru will mark his 34th appearance of the season, with the forward having experienced an unusual winless streak. Julián Álvarez could take on the role of left-winger in Scaloni’s line-up, with Lautaro Martínez continuing at the center of attack, hoping to extend his goal-scoring streak.

Peru, coached by Jorge Fossati, faces an uphill battle as they sit second-to-last in the standings. Their recent draw against Chile, the bottom-placed team, highlighted their struggles in the campaign. Despite the odds, Peru may rely on Luis Advíncula to orchestrate their efforts at La Bombonera.

Kickoff between Argentina and Peru is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. As the year winds down, both teams will look to solidify their standings and end the year on a positive note. With several regulars missing, the fixture presents an opportunity for potential newcomers like Giuliano Simeone to make an impression.

The match serves as an important milestone for both sides, with Argentina keen to rebuild momentum and Peru striving to navigate a challenging qualification path. Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a compelling contest in Buenos Aires.