Star players: Julian Alvarez (Argentina), Luis Diaz (Colombia) While Lionel Messi was unsurprisingly in inspirational form once again for Argentina, bagging eight goals to top the scoring charts in the qualifiers for the first time, Alvarez was the team’s most consistent performer up front. The Atletico Madrid stalwart led the line with distinction, stretching opposition defences, providing a presence in the penalty area and making things happen, whether by finding the net himself – which he managed four times across the campaign – or by bringing others into play. The former River Plate and Manchester City icon’s contribution is epitomised by his assist for the opener in the Albiceleste’s final home fixture of the qualifiers, the aforementioned rout of Venezuela in Buenos Aires. After latching onto a chipped pass over the top, the cultured attacker spurned a clear shooting opportunity and instead cut inside to put the ball on a plate for Messi.
South American sextet head northbound after battle royale
