Lautaro Martinez Equals Maradona in Argentina Win Over Peru

Lautaro Martinez scored a decisive goal to equal Diego Maradona’s tally on the all-time Argentina scoring list, helping his team secure a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Peru in Buenos Aires. The 27-year-old Inter Milan striker netted a left-footed volley from a Lionel Messi cross in the 55th minute marking his 32nd international goal in his 70th appearance. Lautaro Martinez now joins Maradona in fifth place on Argentina’s all-time scoring chart but remains far behind Messi, who holds the record with 112 goals.

Argentina controlled much of the match but failed to extend their lead despite opportunities including Julian Alvarez hitting the post and Alexis Mac Allister sending a header wide. The victory moves Argentina five points clear at the top of the South American World Cup qualifying table with six games left to play. Meanwhile, Messi, 37, added another record to his name, tying Landon Donovan for the most international assists with 58.

In other qualifiers, Brazil drew 1-1 with Uruguay in Salvador with Federico Valverde giving Uruguay the lead early in the second half, only for Gerson to equalize for Brazil. The draw leaves Brazil fifth in the table, just outside the automatic qualification spots for the 2026 World Cup. Ecuador climbed to third after a brilliant solo goal by Enner Valencia secured a 1-0 win over Colombia. Paraguay drew 2-2 with Bolivia with Miguel Almiron among the scorers while Bolivia remains in seventh, just one point ahead of Venezuela, who lost 4-2 to Chile.