Peru vs Argentina summary: score, goals, highlights  | FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier

What next for Argentina and Lionel Messi?

Matchdays five and six take place in the November international break, with Argentina hosting Uruguay on 16 November before travelling to arch-rivals Brazil on 21 November. 

Peru, meanwhile, will hope to turn their fortunes around away to Bolivia and at home to Venezuela on the same dates respectively. 

Peru's awful start continues

Peru were always going to be up against it tonight, but that's now just one point from 12 and no goals scored at the start of the qualification campaign. 

The good news for them is they still have 14 matches left to turn things around. 

Argentina five points clear in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification

Given how many South American teams qualify for the finals (six, with a seventh going into a playoff), it was already going to be tough for Argentina not to qualify. Five points clear after only four matches, they will now expected to seal the deal as group winners, and as soon as possible. 

Messi and Argentina's perfect FIFA World Cup 2026 start

Four wins, four clean sheets, five points clear.

Two goals for Lionel Messi, his first two against Peru in World Cup qualification. 

Full time: Peru 0-2 Argentina

Lionel Messi back and at the double as Argentina make it four wins from four in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying!

Mini-match report on its way. 

No Lionel Messis were harmed in the invasion of the field. Back underway. 

Pitch invader in Lima

A pitch invader is now on the field, which has added a little bit of excitement to the last few minutes, in which not a great deal has happened. 

A needless flash point between Advíncula, who's clearly riled, and Acuña. Did the Peruvian stick the head on his opponent? Maybe he just leaned it in...

Four minutes of injury time before Peru are put out of their misery. 

Messi blazes over!

It's look like it was nothing more, as Messi gets up, takes the free-kick and blasts well over the bar. 

Uh oh...

Messi looks like he's taken a sore one there from Cartagena. A free-kick, and hopefully nothing more. 

Argentina have definitely taken their foot off the gas in the last few minutes. A classic taking-it-easy-but-not-too-easy end to the game. 

Tapia heads just over!

Yotún slings the corner into the box and onto the head of Tapia, whose effort is just a yard or so too high. 

A decent chance!

Reyna is left all alone to take the fight to Argentina and does really well to win a corner despite being up against two opponents. 

10 minutes to go

What have Peru got left in the tank? Not a great deal, by the looks of it..

Carrillo gets away from Otamendi and looks set to get a shot away until Pezzella intercepts. All before the offside flag goes up. 

Messi to play 90 minutes

Unless the unthinkable happens, Messi will play 90 minutes for the first time since 4 September.

What injury?

Triple change for Argentina

Lautaro Martínez, Lo Celso and Acuña on.

Álvarez, De Paul and Tagliafico off. 

A waste. Yotún and Advíncula try what seems to be a pretty pointless short free-kick routine, which ends with the former's cross being easily cleared. 

This could be interesting. González barges Grimaldo over and Peru have a decent set-piece chance. 

Messi has the chance to put the ball into the box but floats the ball over everyone. Peru let off the hook. 

Yeh, Peru are definitely getting hacked off. Advíncula barges Fernández over, sees a yellow card and a number of players are over having a go at the referee. 

Instead, they seem to be taking their frustrations out on De Paul, with Peña and Cartagena both having a nibble at the midfielder, who is scythed down. 

Peru are huffing and puffing here but it's hard to see any way they're getting back into this. 

Final Peru change

Zanelatto goes off the hosts, Peña on. 

Another Messi chance!

A second chance in quick succession for the Argentina captain, whose right-footed effort form the edge of the box is deflected just wide. The corner comes to nothing. 

Messi denied hat-trick by Gallese!

You just can't give Messi that much space...

Álvarez picks the Inter Miami man out in a central position, he plays a one-two with González and prods goalwards, forcing Gallese to make a fine stop. 

Messi plays one of his typical round-the-corner passes into the box and, for once, it doesn't come off. He's losing his touch.

A long spell of possession for Argentina, frustrating the hosts. 

Much like the first half, Peru have died down a bit after a promising start. 

Lucas Martínez gets away down the right and plays a dangerous cross into the middle, which none of his teammates have read. 

No goal - offside!

A weird one. Messi is all alone to stick the ball in the net from two yards. He's clearly offside but the ball looks to come off an opposition player before landing at his feet. 

Not given. 

Messi could be flagged offside here, the question is who gets the final touch before he puts the ball in the net. 

VAR check on Messi goal

Oh, hold on a second...

Zanelatto is next to threaten for the hosts but drags a shot wide under pressure from Pezzella. 

Peru are looking a bit more lively after the changes. Reyna picks a lovely through-ball for Carrillo, who could've got a shot away if he'd taken it in his stride, which he didn't. 

A brief moment of promise from Peru as Grimaldo gets away from Otamendi and picks out Carrillo, only for Fernández to nick the ball off him in the Argentina box. 

Tagliafico is in the wars as Grimaldo wastes little time in making an impression with his elbow. He'll be OK to carry on, by the looks of it. 

What a backpass from one Martínez to the other! Lucas puts some serious zing on his ball back to Emi, who controls it like a world-class playmaker and passes out from the back. 

Nico González was incredibly wasteful in Thursday's game against Paraguay but picked out a brilliant pass for Messi's opening goal. He should've done much better there, though, taking far too long to get a shot away after being picked out by Álvarez. 

Argentina's Romero also going off

Romero looks like he can't continue, with Pezzella coming on in his place in the heart of the Argentina defence. 

Peru's four half-time changes

Trauco, Tapia, Grimaldo and Reyna have come on.

Polo, Santamaía, Loyola and, surprisingly, Guerrero, are off. 

Phew. 

Second half kicks off!

Peru get us back underway!

Peru making quadruple half-time substitution

I honestly don't think I've ever seen this before. Bear with me for just a second...

Lionel Messi sets new record

Another game, another record for Lionel Messi.

31 World Cup qualifying goals in CONMEBOL. 

FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying group as it stands

This is a live league table, which shows that Argentina will go five points clear at the top if they don't mess things up in Lima, which you wouldn't expect them to do. 

Not that they are in much danger of failing to qualify, if you ask me...

Half time: Peru 0-2 Argentina

I’m really trying not to go overboard, but Messi has been at the heart of everything good Argentina have done. The World Cup holders controlled the vast majority of the half, although Peru did have some isolated moments of danger.

After Messi had drilled an early sighter just wide, Abram should have put the hosts in front after the ball fell to him in the box from a free-kick. A superb effort from Guerrero drew a brilliant stop from Martínez, but the visitors have grown stronger as the half wore on.

Messi’s link-up play with Álvarez and Fernández in particular has been a key feature of the game so far, second only to his clinical finishing. The Argentina captain swept home Nico González’s pass after half-an-hour after Peru had carelessly lost possession before calmly slotting a second past Gallese with half-time approaching.

Messi doing what Messi does.

Lionel Messi at the double for Argentina

He's barely been out of the news of late due to his fitness issues. Now he'll barely be out of it due to him doing what he does best.

Two brilliant finishes in Lima. 

Half time: Peru 0-2 Argentina

A Lionel Messi masterclass (another one)!

Álvarez denied by Gallese!

Messi turns provider this time, sliding the ball through for Álvarez, whose angled shot is well kept out by Gallese. 

Three minutes of added time. 

Yotún in first in the book for going through De Paul in midfield. Ouch. 

Fernández makes a run in behind the Peru defence, rolls the ball inside for Álvarez, who cleverly leaves it for Messi, who coolly slots into the net past Gallese. 

Cool as you like!

Just as well Gallese has hit wits about him. The Peru goalkeeper has to race from his line to stop Álvarez from getting to a somewhat wayward backpass. 

Romero in the thick of it again as Zanelatto tries to get in behind. The defender gets across well and looks to get a little shove in  before the Peru winger goes down in the box. "Get up" is the message from the Spurs defender, who's living on the edge as usual. 

Cuti Romero riling up an opposition forward? Well I never. 

Guerrero is not happy with the Argentina defender, who he reckons give him a nasty kick on the ankle. 

Montiel forced off due to injury

Argentina were already without Nahuel Molina due to injury. His replacement Gonzalo Montiel has now been forced off, with Lucas Martínez taking his place. 

Good news followed by bad for Argentina. 

Peru push forward, lose possession and are punished. 

Messi plays the ball inside to Fernández, who feeds González out wide. Messi has continued his run into the box and is picked out perfectly by the winger before sweeping the ball high past Gallese. 

WHAT A FINISH!

Guerrero almost scores wonder goal!

What a ping from Guerrero! He's all of 35 yards out, sees Martínez just off his line and attempts to drill one over the Argentina goalkeeper, who acrobatically tips the ball over the bar. 

A superb strike and save!

Mac Allister wants a free-kick on the edge of the box after an apparent lunge from Santamaría but was judged to have "anticipated the contact", shall we say. 

Peru are very much on the back foot at the moment, defending with two banks of four. 

Are the World Cup holders starting to crank up the pressure a little? Messi is inevitably involved and lays the ball off for Mac Allister to shoot, only his pass is intercepted once more. A little rustiness, perhaps...?

Things are just not quite clicking for Argentina in attack. Álvarez again has a little space in the box but can't get a shot away or sneak the ball through to Messi, who was sniffing around for a chance to score. 

Messi is coming incredibly deep to get on the ball at times before springing forward towards the final third. He tries to tee up Álvarez for a shot but his pass is uncharacteristically wayward. 

A good, old-fashioned long throw from Advíncula into the Argentina box, which I feel as if you don't see much these days. It's easily dealt with by the visiting defence, maybe that's why. 

Peru giving a decent account of themselves so far. And they've had the best chance. 

Crucial block from Advíncula!

A nice bit of build-up play from the visitors and Montiel tries to tee up Álvarez, whose first-time effort from 10 yards or so is blocked by Advícnula.

Martínez saves from Guerrero!

Peru haven't scored in qualifying yet but they've given it a decent go so far! Yotún floats a free-kick to the back post, Guerrero peels off his marker and cracks a fine volley goalwards, only for Martínez to save. 

Ah, offside...

Another run towards the box from Messi, this time Cartagena picks his pocket with a superb tackle. Clean as a whistle. 

No penalty for Peru

Following that chance for Abram, VAR got involved and checked for a possible handball in the box from Tagliafico. The ball did hit his hand but that would've been very harsh. 

Nothing given. 

Abram prods Peru's first chance wide!

I'm going to say the defender should've done better there! Argentina have trouble defending a free-kick and the ball falls to Abram just a few yards from goal. His first-time effort flies just wide!

Messi free-kick...straight at Gallese

Far too central from the Argentina captain, with Gallese able to claim comfortably.. 

Messi free-kick chance

A big no-no from Loyola. A no-no-no-no perhaps.

He gifts the ball to Messi, of all people, deep inside his own half and then brings the Inter Miami man down as he strode towards the box. Free-kick coming up...

A lovely touch from Fernández allows him to try to play Álvarez clean through on goal but he's slightly off target and Peru can clear. A clever run from the Manchester City striker in behind. 

Brazil lose 2-0 to Uruguay

Brazil have lost in Uruguay, by the way, conceding a second goal just after my earlier update. That means Argentina will go five points clear at the top of the qualifying group if they win here. 

Messi searching for first World Cup qualifying goal against Peru

The great man has scored against them in the Copa América but never in World Cup qualification, which feels weird. 

Messi shoots just wide!

It didn't take Messi long to threaten, though! He picks the ball up 30 yards from goal, takes a couple of steps forward and drills a low shot just wide!

Messi whips his first delivery into the Peru but it's easily headed away. Not his best. 

Cuti Romero is used to dishing it out but is on the receiving end this time. He wins a free-kick inside the Peru half but looks to have taken a slight knock. He should be OK to carry on though.

An immediate chance for Peru to break as Fernández gives the ball away cheaply but Guerrero is all alone in the Argentina half and is crowded out. 

Underway in Lima!

Argentina get us going!

Argentina team to play Peru: Messi starts

Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernández: Messi, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González.

Peru team to play Argentina

Gallese; Advíncula, Santamaría, Abram, Loyola; Polo, Cartagena, Yotún, Zanelatto, Carrillo, Guerrero.

The Peruvians have given theirs some serious gusto too, to be fair. They obviously have a big advantage in terms of numbers, but that was very impressive nonetheless. 

That's the way to sing a national anthem. No matter how dreadful you are at singing, belt it out. 

National anthem time!

The teams are out and the Argentine national anthem is about to ring in our ears!

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFIERS

Why is Ángel Di María not playing for Argentina against Peru in the World Cup qualifiers?

A little reminder than Messi's old mate Angel Di María is the main absentee for Argentina in Lima. He would almost certainly have started had he been available, but he's not. 

Here's what's up with him. 

Argentina at the FIFA World Cup

Argentina have only ever failed to qualify for the World Cup once, in 1970, although they withdrew from the 1938, 1950 and 1954 competitions. 

The won two of out three editions in 1978 (on home soil) and 1986 (inspired by Maradona) but had to wait 36 years for the next victory, which Messi may have had a helping hand in last year in Qatar. 

Three stars.

Peru at the FIFA World Cup

Peru have a pretty patchy qualifying record, featuring in the first ever tournament in 1930, before a 40-year gap to 1970. Then they qualified for further tournaments in 1978 and 1982, but didn't play at the World Cup again until 2018.

They reached the quarter-finals in both 1970 and 1978.

Argentina confirm Messi return vs Peru

Better late than never. Argentina's official Twitter/X account has confirmed what we all already knew - Lionel Messi starts at the expense of Lautaro Martínez. 

Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernández: Messi, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González

Thursday's other South American FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers

I should point out that the other eight CONMEBOL members have also been in World Cup qualifying action on Tuesday, with Peru vs Argentina the last game on the card. Here's what's gone down so far today:

- Venezuela 3-0 Chile

- Paraguay 1-0 Bolivia

- Ecuador 0-0 Colombia

- Uruguay 1-0 Brazil (match in progress, around 20 minutes to go)

I'll let you know how Brazil end up, although it's not looking good for them at the minute. 

How have Argentina started FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification?

In stark contrast, Argentina could hardly have fared any better, although they perhaps could have turned on the style a little more, if we're being super critical. 

In September, Messi's free-kick saw off Ecuador in Buenos Aires before Enzo Fernández, Nicolás Tagliafico and Nico González scored in a comfortable victory in Bolivia. A third Nico - Otamendi - was the match-winner in Thursday's win over Paraguay, volleying home a corner in just the second minute. 

Nine points out of nine, no goals conceded.

How have Peru started FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification?

Not great, let's be honest. After opening up with a decent point away to Paraguay, Juan Reynoso's team have lost at home to Brazil and away to Chile. No shame in losing to the Brazilians in particular, although that loss was a right old kick in the teeth, with Marquinhos's winning goal come in the last minute.

Paolo Guerrero may be Peru's all-time top scorer but none of his 38 goals have come in this qualifying campaign. In fact, no Peruvian has found the net yet. 

One point from nine so, only Bolivia have fared worse. 

2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION

How many South American teams will play in the 2026 World Cup? How can Lionel Messi’s Argentina qualify?

Before we take a look at how the two teams have fared in qualification so far, here's how CONMEBOL World Cup qualification works. If you feel as if you've never seen a World Cup without Argentina or Brazil in it, there are several reasons for that. And that will only continue now that the tournament will expand to 48 teams in time for the 2026 edition, to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Peru's iconic kit

Speaking of the home fans, here are some snaps of them sporting their country's iconic kit, which has been praised as one of world soccer's most attractive designs. 

Full-back Luis Advíncula played for Rayo Vallecano in 2018-19, which means he wore the same white shirt with the red sash at both club and international level for a year.

The answer to a quiz question nobody asked. 

Estadio Nacional in Lima hosts Peru vs Argentina

Estadio Nacional in Lima has hosted Coldplay, Bon Jovi and The Killers amongst others. Tonight, Lionel Messi will be expected to put on a show (even if most of the fans in the ground hope he doesn't).

Peru team to play Argentina

And the three most experienced players on the roster all start for the hosts! Big fan of the Peru social media admin for setting the team out the way they're likely to line up. That's the way us live bloggers like it, gracias!

Gallese; Advíncula, Santamaría, Abram, Loyola; Polo, Cartagena, Yotún, Zanelatto, Carrillo, Guerrero.

Veteran striker Paolo Guerrero the main danger for Peru

After prolific spells in Germany and Brazil, Paolo Guerrero is back playing in his homeland at the grand old age of 39. Nobody has ever scored more goals (38) than him for Peru and he should win his 113th cap against Argentina.

That's not enough to make him the most-capped player on this particular roster, however, with midfielder Yoshimar Yotún having played 125 times for La Blanquirroja in his career. Defender Luis Advíncula has also won the same number of caps as Peru captain Guerrero. 

Early Peru team news: three key players missing for Juan Reynoso

It's not all about Argentina, you know? Peru head into the game as underdogs but will be desperate to cause an upset. If they're going to do it, they'll have to do it the hard way, however. 

Veteran defender Carlos Zambrano and midfielder Christofer González, who have well over 100 caps between them, both picked up knocks in the last game against Chile and miss out through injury, while left-back Marcos López is suspended after being booked in Santiago last week. 

What injury has Lionel Messi been suffering with?

After Messi asked to come off towards the end of the win against Ecuador on 8 September, the player himself claimed he was simply tired and that him not finishing games would become a more and more common occurrence. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino gave similar reasoning, although the MLS club later revealed Messi had aggravated an old scar tissue injury (rather than suffering a new problem). 

Either way, it's (understandably) taken the 36-year-old a little bit of time to get back onto the field but after two cameo appearances from the bench, one for his club and one for his country, it seems to be on the way back to something approaching full fitness. 

Argentina team to play Peru: Lionel Messi starts!

According to ESPN Sports Center and Argentine journalist Gastón Edul of TyC Sports, who is usually bang on the money, Lionel Messi will start for Argentina in Lima!

Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernández: Messi, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González

Lautaro Martínez is the man who makes way. 

Early Argentina team news: Dybala among other absentees

Roma's Paulo Dybala would have been a fantastic replacement for Di María, wouldn't he? Too bad, as he was forced to pull out of the squad after taking a blow to his knee in Roma’s win over Cagliari in Serie A 10 days ago. 

Defenders Lisandro Martínez and Juan Foyth, as well as attacker Ángel Correa, are the other injury absentees from the roster. None of them would have been likely starters though. 

Early Argentina team news: injured Di Maria misses out

One man who will definitely not be playing against Peru is Messi's old pal Ángel Di Maria. The pair have been thick as thieves together with the Argentina, winning most of their caps alongside one another. The ex-Real Madrid winger captained the team in Messi's absence in Bolivia in September but didn't play against Paraguay in Buenos Aires and won't feature in Lima either after suffering a thigh injury in Benfica's Champions League defeat to Inter a couple of weeks ago. 

What a goal that was in the 2022 World Cup final, by the way. 

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFIERS

Will Inter Miami star Lionel Messi start for Argentina against Peru? Lionel Scaloni refuses to confirm

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni refuses to confirm whether Lionel Messi will start against Peru

If you're interested in knowing more about what Scaloni said, here are a few quotes directly from Monday's press conference. As well as (not really) discussing whether Messi would start, he was not amused at constant questions about when his captain will retire. Scaloni also had his say on Inter Miami's upcoming tour of China, which will take place just before November's qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. 

Early Argentina team news: will Lionel Messi start?

It was the question on everybody's lips before the Paraguay game last week and it's the question on everyone's lips before this one too. 

Unless you were living on the moon for a few weeks, you'll be aware that Lionel Messi has been struggling with an injury recently. Basically since the last international break, when he scored the winning goal against Ecuador before being replaced due to “tiredness”.

After not playing in Argentina’s 3-0 win in Bolivia, the former Barça star could only manage 37 minutes of Inter Miami's MLS win over Toronto FC before missing four consecutive matches, including the US Open Cup final loss to Houston Dynamo. He made his return as a second-half substitute in The Herons last MLS game before the international break and did the same in Thursday's home win over the Paraguayans. 

Head coach Lionel Scaloni was keeping his cards pretty close to his chest in Monday's pre-match conference, his message being "if he's OK, he'll start". Reports in Argentina on Tuesday have suggested Messi is indeed OK, which means he will indeed start. 

We'll find out soon enough!

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Peru vs Argentina: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Before we get down to business, you may still be looking for a way to watch today's game. If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and Will is here with the details! 

Just be sure to stick with me too, please!

You can watch a live stream of Peru vs Argentina on Fanatiz

What time does Peru vs Argentina kick off?

The clash in Lima gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which makes it 10:00 p.m. ET and 7:00 p.m. PT. What else are you going to do before going to bed on a Tuesday night, east coasters?

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Peru vs Argentina!

What a way to round off a week-long feast of international soccer!

The World Cup holders are back in action and we have another "will he or won't he?" scenario regarding Inter Miami star and Argentina captain Lionel Messi? He came off the bench in his country's last World Cup 2026 qualifier against Paraguay on Thursday and the whole world, it seems, wants to know whether we'll get a much longer look at him against Peru at Estadio Nacional in Lima. We’ll be discussing that, and plenty more, over the next little while.

I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for this one!