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Argentina vs Chile. FIFA World Cup South American Qualifying Tournament.

Antonio Vespucio Liberti (Monumental)Attendance55,000.

Argentina 1-0 Chile: Lionel Messi keeps hosts' World Cup qualifying hopes alive

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Chile during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match at the Monumental stadium in Buen
Image: Lionel Messi's penalty was enough to secure Argentina a 1-0 win over Chile

Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot as Argentina revived their World Cup qualifying campaign with a battling 1-0 win over rivals Chile on Thursday.

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Barcelona star Messi stroked home his penalty on 16 minutes after veteran Chile defender Jose Fuenzalida brought down Angel Di Maria with a clumsy challenge.

The goal settled a tense battle at Buenos Aires' famous Estadio Monumental between the two South American heavyweights.

Argentina lost back-to-back Copa America finals against Chile in 2015 and 2016, losing on penalties on both occasions.

Lionel Messi (L) was the match-winner for Argentina against Chile
Image: Argentina remain third in the 10-team qualifying group

Last year, Messi was distraught after missing his penalty in the shootout at the Copa America Centenario in New York.

But the diminutive maestro made no mistake on Thursday, drilling his spot-kick beyond former Barcelona team-mate Claudio Bravo to secure a vital three points for the two-time world champions.

Chile's forward Alexis Sanchez reacts after missing a chance of goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Argentina
Image: Chile forward Alexis Sanchez (right) shows his frustration at the final whistle

The win leaves Argentina in third place overall in the 10-team qualifying competition with 22 points from 13 games.

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The top four finishers qualify automatically for next year's finals in Russia.

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