Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Chile on Thursday, bolstering their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez, and Paulo Dybala secured all three points in front of a sold-out home crowd.

With the win, Argentina sits comfortably atop the South American qualifying standings with 18 points, five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay, who face Paraguay on Friday.

The Copa America champions were without their captain, Lionel Messi, who is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during the final in July and will also miss their upcoming qualifier against Colombia on Tuesday.

At the Monumental stadium, there was a tribute to Ángel Di María following the winger’s retirement from international football.

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Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring three minutes after halftime with a goal from a Julián Álvarez cross. Álvarez then extended Argentina’s lead with a stunning long-range effort.

Substitute Dybala added a third goal in stoppage time with an assist from Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.