The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is firmly underway in South America with a third of qualifiers already completed ahead of the September international window.
Heading into a key round of fixtures, Paddy’s tipster Feargal Brennan runs the rule over the latest Argentina v Chile betting options as the world champions do battle minus Messi.
You’ll need a strong coffee to get through this one, with the game kicking off at 1am on Friday morning our time.
Argentina v Chile Betting Tips
Argentina to win to nil
Under 2.5 goals
Draw after 60 minutes
WHAT: 2026 World Cup qualifier
WHEN: Friday, 1am
WHERE: Estadio Mâs Monumental, Buenos Aires
TV: N/A
Argentina to win to nil
Argentina cannot stop winning trophies! After defending their Copa America title earlier this summer, Lionel Scaloni’s team have now won their last three successive major tournaments, including the iconic 2022 World Cup title.
Qualification for the 2026 tournament looks to be easing onto the horizon with five wins from six so far as they sit top of the CONMEBOL group.
The structure of CONMEBOL qualification is stretched over a long period, with six games played in 2023, followed by six in 2024 and the same again in 2025.
Argentina have lost just once in their last 16 matches, combined between qualifiers, friendlies and the Copa America, and their last five wins have all come with a clean sheet.
Under 2.5 goals
Fair warning to anyone staying up late for this one…..Lionel Messi is injured. The main man is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in the Copa America final win over Colombia.
However, even with Messi in the team, Argentina have relied on tight wins to keep their impressive run of form going in 2024. All six of their Copa America games featured under 2.5 goals scored, and that barrier was only broken once in six qualifiers in 2023.
Draw after 60 minutes
Alongside this clash being a late night showdown, anyone staying up to watch it could be in for the long haul, based on Argentina’s Copa America results.
From their nine goals scored at the tournament, four of them were scored after the 60 minute mark, including Lautaro Martinez’s 1-0 winning goal against Chile, which he bagged in the 88th minute.
Chile will be happy to dig in and Argentina may need to rely on Martinez and Co to produce something late on to secure victory in Buenos Aires.
Argentina v Chile Tips
Argentina to win to nil
Under 2.5 goals
Draw after 60 minutes
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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