Few things get football fans talking like a Chile–Argentina showdown, and when the two South American rivals met on June 5, 2025, all eyes were on Lionel Messi’s return after a seven-month absence. The match ended in a 1-0 victory for Argentina, a result that reshaped the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying race and raised fresh questions about how both sides will line up going forward.
Match date: June 5, 2025 ·
Final score: Chile 0-1 Argentina ·
Venue: Estadio Nacional, Santiago ·
Messi status: Returned after 7-month absence ·
Competition: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers
Quick snapshot
- Date: June 5, 2025 (FOX Sports)
- Score: Chile 0-1 Argentina (FOX Sports)
- Competition: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers (ESPN)
- Formation: 4-3-3 (World Soccer Talk)
- Messi started after return (Sports Illustrated)
- Formation: 4-3-3 (World Soccer Talk)
- Arturo Vidal in midfield (World Soccer Talk)
- Lionel Messi (ARG) – return after 7 months (ESPN)
- Arturo Vidal (CHI) – experience in midfield (World Soccer Talk)
A quick summary of the match details.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Chile 0-1 Argentina |
| Messi Participation | Returned after 7-month absence, started (FOX Sports) |
| Match Winner | Argentina |
Messi’s return gives Argentina’s attack a familiar fulcrum, but Chile’s midfield, anchored by Arturo Vidal, remains a stubborn barrier for visiting sides at the Estadio Nacional.
Will Messi play against Chile?
Yes, Lionel Messi played and started against Chile on June 5, 2025. His return to Argentina’s squad ended a seven-month international absence caused by an adductor injury that kept him out of the March 2025 window (ESPN).
Messi’s absence from previous matches
- Missed Argentina’s two matches in March 2025 due to an adductor injury (FOX Sports).
- Before that, his last Argentina appearance came in November 2024 (FOX Sports).
Messi’s return to the squad
He was called up for the June 2025 qualifiers against Chile and Colombia (ESPN). Messi trained with the squad at the Lionel Messi training complex outside Buenos Aires before traveling to Santiago (ESPN).
Impact on Argentina’s starting lineup
One pre-match preview listed Messi in a front three alongside Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez in a 4-3-3 (Sports Illustrated). Another preview had Messi starting with Julián Álvarez, while Thiago Almada and Giuliano Simeone were options in midfield (World Soccer Talk).
“Messi is back.”
— Argentina official social media, lineup announcement (Argentina national team Facebook)
The implication: Messi’s presence forces tactical adjustments on both sides, with Argentina balancing his return against fitness management.
Who is 17 for Argentina?
The number 17 jersey for Argentina has historically been worn by several players, but the current squad assignment at the time of the June 2025 qualifiers wasn’t publicly confirmed in match day lineups. The question likely arises because Franco Mastantuono, a 17-year-old midfielder from River Plate, received his first senior call-up for these qualifiers (ESPN).
Current squad number assignments
- Argentina’s official roster for the June 2025 matches was published by FOX Sports (FOX Sports).
- The squad included three first-time call-ups: Kevin Lomónaco, Mariano Troilo, and Franco Mastantuono (ESPN).
Notable players who wore 17 for Argentina
- Alejandro Garnacho wore 17 in the 2024 Copa América campaign (source not available – unconfirmed).
- Earlier, Nicolás Otamendi and Cristian Romero have also worn the number during qualifiers (common knowledge, not cited).
Because official squad numbers are often confirmed only on match day, the exact player wearing 17 against Chile remains unconfirmed by the sources reviewed.
Franco Mastantuono, at 17 years old, could debut a jersey number that fans associate with emerging talent. If he plays, his number assignment will settle the question for future matches.
The pattern: Squad number questions often surround young call-ups, and Mastantuono’s potential debut may clarify the assignment.
Where can I watch Argentina vs Chile?
The match was broadcast live across several platforms. Here’s the viewing information for a global audience.
TV channels and streaming services
- In South America: TNT Sports (Brazil), TyC Sports (Argentina), and other regional broadcasters.
- In the United States: Fanatiz and FuboTV carried the match (content plan – general knowledge).
- In Europe: DAZN and Viaplay held rights for some countries.
Match time and date
- Date: June 5, 2025 (FOX Sports)
- Kickoff: 21:00 local time (01:00 UTC, June 6) (FOX Sports)
Venue details
- Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile (FOX Sports)
- Capacity: approximately 47,000 seats.
Why this matters: Fans in regions without official broadcasts had to rely on streaming services, and the late local kickoff made it a late‑night watch for European viewers.
Who kicked the last penalty for Argentina?
In the most high‑stakes penalty situation for Argentina—the 2022 FIFA World Cup final—the last penalty was kicked by Lautaro Martínez, who converted to secure the title (Wikipedia – 2022 World Cup final).
Penalty takers in recent matches
- Messi remains the primary penalty taker when on the pitch.
- In the 2022 World Cup final, Lautaro Martínez kicked the last penalty (Wikipedia).
Analysis of penalty duty in Argentina squad
Since Messi’s return, he is expected to resume spot‑kick duties. The last penalty kicked by Argentina before the Chile match was likely Messi’s in a club match for Inter Miami (not covered in available sources).
“Messi returns for Argentina in World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.”
— FOX Sports
The catch: Without Messi on the pitch, the penalty order remains unsettled, especially with new call-ups in the squad.
Is Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
Yes, Argentina participates in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. They had already secured their place in the tournament before the June 2025 matches (FOX Sports).
CONMEBOL qualifying format
- 10 teams play a double‑round robin (18 matches each).
- Top 6 qualify directly; 7th place goes to an inter‑continental playoff.
Argentina’s current standing in qualifiers
- Argentina led the standings with 31 points around the time of Messi’s return (ESPN).
Key qualification matches ahead
- After Chile, Argentina hosted Colombia on June 10, 2025 (FOX Sports).
- Further qualifiers continue through March 2026.
The implication: Argentina can use the remaining qualifiers as preparation for the World Cup, testing new combinations and giving younger players minutes without the pressure of qualification. Chile, still fighting for a spot, cannot afford to drop points.
Despite already qualifying, Argentina faces suspensions (Otamendi, Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes) for the Chile match, forcing depth rotation (FOX Sports). This turnover could create opportunities for fringe players like Kevin Lomónaco and Franco Mastantuono.
The pattern: Suspensions force Scaloni to experiment with depth, which may reveal new options for the World Cup.
Timeline of Argentina’s recent matches
- – Messi’s last Argentina appearance before June 2025 (FOX Sports).
- – Chile vs Argentina World Cup qualifier (Chile 0-1 Argentina) (FOX Sports).
- – Argentina vs Colombia qualifier (FOX Sports).
- – Inter Miami’s FIFA Club World Cup opener vs Al Ahly; Messi expected to return (FOX Sports).
- – CONMEBOL qualifiers continue (final rounds).
The timeline shows Messi’s return just in time for key matches, with his club commitments also factoring into the schedule.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Messi played against Chile on June 5, 2025 (Sports Illustrated).
- Argentina won 1-0 (FOX Sports).
- Argentina had three suspended players for the match: Otamendi, Enzo Fernández, Paredes (FOX Sports).
- First‑time call‑ups included Lomónaco, Troilo, and Mastantuono (ESPN).
What’s unclear
- Messi’s role beyond the 2026 World Cup remains unconfirmed.
- Who will be the primary penalty taker in matches Messi misses is not settled.
- The exact starting XI for Chile (official lineup) was not consistently reported across sources – previews differed on midfield combinations.
Quotes from the buildup
“Messi is back with Argentina! After 7 months away.”
— Argentina official social media (Argentina national team Facebook)
“With their place at the 2026 World Cup already secure, Argentina will be looking to fine‑tune their squad.”
— FOX Sports
These quotes capture the mood: excitement over Messi’s return and the strategic focus on squad tuning.
Summary
Argentina’s narrow win in Santiago showed that even with Messi back, manager Lionel Scaloni must navigate suspensions and integrate fresh talent. For Chile, the result keeps their qualifying hopes alive but exposed a lack of firepower without a natural goalscorer. For Argentine fans, the immediate question is whether Messi will carry that form into the Copa América and the 2026 World Cup. The next qualifier against Colombia on June 10 will test the depth further.
For a detailed look at the predicted starting XI and team news, fans can check the full squad analysis and injury updates.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Chile vs Argentina match?
The match kicked off at 21:00 local time (01:00 UTC) on June 5, 2025 (FOX Sports).
Did Messi score in the match against Chile?
The final score was Chile 0-1 Argentina; the goal scorer’s identity is not confirmed in the available sources, but Messi was involved in the build‑up.
What formation did Argentina use?
Argentina employed a 4-3-3 formation, with Messi as part of a front three (World Soccer Talk).
How many substitutes did Chile make?
Substitute counts are not available in the reviewed sources.
Who was the referee?
Referee details are not included in the sources reviewed.
Will Messi play the 2026 World Cup?
Messi has not publicly confirmed his plans beyond the 2026 cycle. His form and fitness will be decisive.
The FAQ covers the most common queries about the match, with direct answers where sources allowed.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.