SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO: Lionel Messi scored a first-half Punishment for hosts Argentina until Chile’s Alexis Sanchez equalised since their World Cup qualifier Finished 1-1 on Thursday.
Messi transformed from the area midway through the first half once Guillermo Maripan attracted down Lautaro Martinez from the box.
Chile striker Sanchez levelled at the 37th minute, finishing a cut straight in Gary Medel.
Chile keeper Claudio Bravo created a world class store to keep the scores level just before halftime, sparking a Messi totally free kick around the place.
The game Santiago del Estero has been Argentina’s first competitive outing since November and the two sides seemed rusty.
Argentina pushed ahead as the match moved on but Chile’s rearguard has been strong, even with no talismanic holding midfielder Arturo Vidal, that missed out later hammering COVID-19.
Messi nearly snatched all three points at the past five minutes but couldn’t find a means beyond Bravo.
The draw implies Argentina are unbeaten at home against Chile at 35 matches, also have really gone 12 games without defeat since losing to Brazil from the 2019 Copa America semi-finals.
Argentina are next at the 10-team South America qualifying team for Qatar 2022 with 11 points from five matches, a stage behind Brazil, that perform Ecuador on Friday.
Chile are with five points from five matches.
The best four teams qualify for Qatar whereas the fifth-placed facet goes in a intercontinental play-off.
Earlier in the afternoon, Bolivia conquer Venezuela 3-1 in the home and Uruguay and Paraguay drew 0-0 at Montevideo.
