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[Awards Review]
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▶ Almada and Valencia dazzle as Argentina and Ecuador win
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[2025/03/23 ]
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Thiago Almada is the real deal. Lionel Scaloni identified the playmaker as someone who could fill the invention void created by Angel Di Maria’s international retirement. Almada’s doing that, and proving he has an eye for goal too. The 23-year-old’s spectacular strike earned Argentina victory in Uruguay on Matchday 13 of South American qualifying – one that left them on the cusp of joining the co-hosts and Japan at the FIFA World Cup 26™.
 Ecuador’s hero is at the other end of his career, and there’s no doubt that Enner Valencia’s still got it. The 35-year-old may have missed a penalty he nimbly won, but he’d already done the damage to Venezuela by then. Sebastian Beccacece’s charges climbed to second, five points behind Argentina.
Standings
1st) Argentina – 28 points
2nd) Ecuador – 22
3rd) Brazil – 21
4th) Uruguay – 20
4th) Paraguay – 20
5th) Colombia – 19
7th) Bolivia – 13
8th) Venezuela – 12
9th) Peru – 10
10th) Chile – 9
Ecuador 2-1 Venezuela
Ecuador goals: Enner Valencia (39 & 46)
Venezuela goal: Jhonder Cadiz (90+1)
La Tri dominated from the outset and made the breakthrough when their all-time leading marksman slashed the ball home from an acute angle. Moments after the restart, Valencia raced through on goal and dinked it over Rafael Romo to double the advantage.
The 35-year-old then won a penalty, but his strike was saved by the Venezuela goalkeeper. Valencia may have missed out on a hat-trick, but was rewarded with a standing ovation when he went off late on.
La Vinotinto refused to throw in the towel and forced Hernan Galindez into two smart saves. In stoppage time, however, substitute Cadiz hooked the ball home from a corner to halve the arrears.
Ecuador nevertheless held on to jump second. Venezuela remain eighth, one point behind Bolivia, who sit in the Play-Off Tournament for the FIFA World Cup place.
Quote
“I’m very happy. I identify with what the footballers do: represent their country with great courage and bravery. We know that if we have to suffer to win, that’s what we have to do.”
Sebastian Beccacece, Ecuador coach
Stat
Valencia moved on to 14 goals in World Cup qualifying. Felipe Caicedo (15) and Agustin Delgado (16) are the only Ecuadorians with more.
Uruguay 0-1 Argentina
Argentina goal: Thiago Almada (68)
If La Celeste and La Albiceleste felt each out in the first half, they began trading big blows in the second. Following a fine interchange from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada’s excellent strike from outside the box forced Sergio Rochet into a fine save, before the Uruguay goalkeeper denied Giuliano Simeone.
Then Almada gave Rochet no chance, curling the ball into the top corner masterfully. It was the 23-year-old’s third goal in seven internationals.
Argentina, marshalled by the ageless Nicolas Otamendi, defended resolutely thereafter, much to the frustration of the Centenario crowd. The visitors did suffer a blow late on, when Nico Gonzalez was sent off for a high challenge. The midfielder will now miss Tuesday’s hosting of Brazil.
Quote
“We know what matches against Brazil are like. It’s a different game, but it’s still worth three points. We have to go with the same mentality and try to play our game, which is what makes us different.”
Nicolas Otamendi, Argentina defender
Stat
Emiliano Martinez became the third Argentinian to reach 50 caps after Ubaldo Fillol (58) and Sergio Romero (96). 'Dibu' incredibly kept his 34th clean sheet for his country in Montevideo.
World Cup participations
Brazil (22)
Argentina (18)
Uruguay (14)
Chile (9)
Paraguay (8)
Colombia (6)
Peru (5)
Ecuador (4)
Bolivia (3)
Venezuela (0)
Best World Cup finish
Brazil: Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002)
Argentina: Champions (1978, 1986 & 2022)
Uruguay: Champions (1930 & 1950)
Chile: Third place (1962)
Peru: Quarter finals (1970 & 1978)
Colombia: Quarter-finals (2014)
Paraguay: Quarter-finals (2010)
Ecuador: Last 16 (2006)
Bolivia: Group stage (1930, 1950 & 1994)
- The origianl text resource is from FIFA Official Website |
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