2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Alexis Sanchez cancels Lionel Messi penalty as Chile maintain Argentina

Lionel Messi transformed a penalty however his objective was cancelled out by Alexis Sanchez as Chile held Argentina to a 1-1 draw of their FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday. Lionel Messi transformed from the spot halfway by way of the primary half however his objective wasn’t sufficient to make sure an Argentina victory (AP Photo)HIGHLIGHTSMessi scored a first-half penalty for hosts Argentina earlier than Chile’s Sanchez equalised within the thirty seventh minuteThe draw means Argentina are unbeaten at house in opposition to Chile in 35 matches, and have gone 12 video games with out defeatArgentina are 2nd within the 10-team South America qualifying group for Qatar 2022, Chile are sixthLionel Messi scored a first-half penalty for hosts Argentina earlier than Chile’s Alexis Sanchez equalised as their World Cup qualifier ended 1-1 on Thursday.Messi transformed from the spot halfway by way of the primary half after Guillermo Maripan introduced down Lautaro Martinez within the field. Chile striker Sanchez levelled within the thirty seventh minute, ending off a in the reduction of from Gary Medel.Chile keeper Claudio Bravo made a world class save to maintain the scores degree simply earlier than halftime, tipping a Messi free kick around the publish.The match in Santiago del Estero was Argentina’s first aggressive outing since November and each side regarded rusty.Argentina pushed ahead as the sport went on however Chile’s rearguard was stable, even with out their talismanic holding midfielder Arturo Vidal, who missed out after contracting COVID-19.Messi virtually snatched all three factors within the final 5 minutes however couldn’t discover a well beyond Bravo.The draw means Argentina are unbeaten at house in opposition to Chile in 35 matches, and have gone 12 video games with out defeat since shedding to Brazil within the 2019 Copa America semi-finals.Argentina are second within the 10-team South America qualifying group for Qatar 2022 with 11 factors from 5 video games, some extent behind Brazil, who play Ecuador on Friday.Chile are sixth, with 5 factors from 5 video games. The high 4 groups qualify mechanically for Qatar whereas the fifth-placed aspect goes into an intercontinental play-off.Earlier within the day, Bolivia beat Venezuela 3-1 at house and Uruguay and Paraguay drew 0-0 in Montevideo.Click right here for IndiaToday.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.