Argentina Beats Peru 1-0 in Qualifying Match

Argentina's men's national football team secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Peru in their final match of 2024, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the decisive goal from a Lionel Messi assist in the 55th minute. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Argentina struggled to break through the Peruvian defense in the first half, with Julián Álvarez hitting the post. This win keeps Argentina at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 25 points from 12 matches, including eight victories. Head coach Lionel Scaloni's squad, despite injuries to key players, showcased resilience after a disappointing loss to Paraguay. Meanwhile, Ecuador's upset over Colombia has reshuffled the table, moving Ecuador into third place. Overall, the match highlighted Argentina's ability to bounce back and maintain their lead in the qualifiers.