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BUENOS AIRES, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Argentinian football team is set to face Chile on Thursday in a key duel for their qualification to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The game will kick off at 8.30 p.m. in Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium, refereed by Brazilian Sandro Ricci. With superstar Lionel Messi set to lead the attack with Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio "Kun" Agüero, the Argentinian team will seek a win to take them to third in the rankings, from their current fifth place.
With six games still to play in the South American qualifiers, Brazil leads the rankings with 27 points, Uruguay is second with 23, Ecuador and Chile are tied on 20, while Argentina has 19. Colombia is in a threatening position with 18 points in sixth place.
Next week, Argentina will then face a risky visit to Bolivia, playing at 3,600 meters above sea level in la Paz.
Another risk awaits Argentina against Chile as 10 of its first eleven, except for Messi, are on a yellow card and risk missing the next game if they are booked.
However, Chile, coached by Argentinian Juan Antonio Pizzi, will not be able to count on their talisman, Arturo Vidal, who is suspended, or the injured Marcelo Diaz.
Two more players are out with knocks, Gary Medel and Alexis Sanchez, and they may not be able to play.
Chile has been a bogeyman for Argentina after defeating it in the last two finals of the Copa America in 2015 and 2016. Enditem
