Hey there, soccer fans of all ages! Whether you’re a kid just learning about the beautiful game or a grown-up who loves the excitement of big matches, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re talking about one of the coolest rivalries in South American football: Chile vs Argentina. These two teams have been playing against each other for over 100 years, and every game is full of passion, skills, and surprises. The keyword here is Chile National Football Team vs Argentina National Football Team Lineups – we’ll dive deep into who plays where, why it matters, and even look at some recent games.
Imagine two neighbor countries battling it out on the green field. Chile, known as “La Roja” (The Red One) because of their bright red jerseys, loves to play fast and tough. Argentina, called “La Albiceleste” (The White and Sky Blue), has superstars who can dribble like magic. Their games are like a family party that gets a little competitive – lots of cheers, some boos, and always drama!
The Epic Rivalry: Why Chile vs Argentina is So Special
Chile and Argentina share a long border in the Andes mountains, and that makes their football games extra spicy. They’ve played more than 90 times! Argentina usually wins more, but Chile has had some amazing moments. Remember the Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016? Chile beat Argentina on penalties both times and won the trophy! It was like David beating Goliath.
These matches are part of the World Cup qualifiers for 2026, happening in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. South America has tough qualifiers where everyone plays everyone twice. Argentina is already qualified – they’re the world champions from 2022! Chile is fighting hard to make it too.
Lately, Argentina has been super strong. In their last meeting in June 2025, Argentina won 1-0 away in Chile with a goal from Julián Álvarez. Chile played brave but couldn’t score. Before that, in September 2024, Argentina smashed Chile 3-0 at home.
As of November 2025, no new match between them has happened yet in the qualifiers – the schedule shows games like Argentina vs Peru and Chile vs Venezuela in the last windows. But fans are always excited for the next one! These teams might meet again in friendlies or future tournaments.
Meet the Teams: Who’s Who in 2025
Both teams have mix of old heroes and young stars. Let’s make it simple, like picking players for your school team.
Chile National Football Team (La Roja): Chile’s coach is Ricardo Gareca, a smart guy from Argentina (funny, right?). Their captain is often a tough midfielder like Erick Pulgar or veteran Alexis Sánchez. Alexis is like the wise old wizard – he used to play for big clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona. Another legend is Arturo Vidal, the warrior who fights for every ball.
Chile plays with heart. They defend strong and counter-attack fast. But in 2025 qualifiers, they’ve struggled to score goals – only 9 in 14 games!
Argentina National Football Team (La Albiceleste): Coach Lionel Scaloni has made Argentina unbeatable. They won the 2022 World Cup and 2021 + 2024 Copa America. The big star? Lionel Messi, the greatest ever! At 38, Messi still dazzles with his dribbles and passes. He’s back from some minor injuries and playing for Inter Miami in MLS.
Other stars: Emiliano Martínez (the penalty-saving goalie), Julián Álvarez (goal machine from Manchester City), and young talents like Thiago Almada.
Argentina tops the qualifiers with tons of points and already qualified.
The Big Table: Recent Lineups Side by Side
Here’s a full table comparing lineups from their most recent clash in June 2025 (Chile 0-1 Argentina). This was a World Cup qualifier in Santiago. I used confirmed lineups from reliable sources. It’s like a soccer card collection!
| Position | Chile Player | Club (2025) | Age | Fun Fact | Argentina Player | Club (2025) | Age | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Brayan Cortés | Colo-Colo (Chile) | 30 | Super reflexes, like a cat! | Emiliano Martínez | Aston Villa (England) | 33 | World Cup hero with penalty saves |
| Right Back | Felipe Loyola | Huachipato (Chile) | 24 | Young speedster | Nahuel Molina | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | 27 | Great crosses |
| Center Back | Guillermo Maripán | Monaco (France) | 31 | Tall and strong in the air | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (England) | 27 | Nicknamed “Cuti” – tough defender |
| Center Back | Francisco Sierralta | Watford (England) | 28 | Solid tackler | Leonardo Balerdi | Marseille (France) | 26 | Rising star |
| Left Back | Gabriel Suazo | Toulouse (France) | 27 | Loves to attack | Nicolás Tagliafico | Lyon (France) | 33 | Energetic runner |
| Midfielder | Arturo Vidal | Colo-Colo (Chile) | 38 | The king – tattoos and fire! | Rodrigo De Paul | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | 31 | Messi’s best friend on the field |
| Midfielder | Rodrigo Echeverría | Huracán (Argentina) | 30 | Box-to-box runner | Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) | 27 | Smart passer |
| Midfielder | Vicente Pizarro | Colo-Colo (Chile) | 22 | Young talent | Nico Paz | Como (Italy) | 21 | Super young debut |
| Right Wing | Lucas Cepeda | Colo-Colo (Chile) | 22 | Fast dribbler | Giuliano Simeone | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | 22 | Son of coach Simeone! |
| Left Wing | Darío Osorio | Midtjylland (Denmark) | 21 | Future star | Thiago Almada | Botafogo (Brazil) | 24 | World Cup winner at young age |
| Striker | Alexis Sánchez | Udinese (Italy) | 36 | The “Niño Maravilla” (Wonder Boy) | Julián Álvarez | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | 25 | Goal scorer extraordinaire |
| Bench Stars | Eduardo Vargas, Diego Valdés | Various | – | Vargas: Copa America king | Lionel Messi (sub), Giovanni Simeone | Inter Miami / Napoli | – | Messi: The GOAT! |
This table shows how Argentina mixed experience with youth – even starting without Messi but bringing him on later. Chile relied on veterans like Vidal and Sánchez.
In older games, like September 2024 (Argentina 3-0 Chile), Argentina used Mac Allister, Álvarez, and Dybala to score.
Key Players to Watch: Heroes on the Field
- For Chile: Alexis Sánchez – He’s small but mighty, like a ninja! Scores amazing goals.
- Arturo Vidal: The midfield beast – runs everywhere and motivates the team.
- Young hope: Darío Osorio – Fast and tricky, the next big thing.
- For Argentina: Lionel Messi – Need I say more? He makes impossible passes and goals.
- Julián Álvarez: The spider – always in the right spot to score.
- Emiliano Martínez: “Dibu” – Draws pictures after saves and stops penalties!
Messi was uncertain for some 2025 games due to minor injuries but played when fit.
Tactics: How They Play Like a Team Game
Chile often uses a 4-3-3 formation – four defenders, three midfielders, three attackers. They press high and counter quick, like stealing the ball and running fast.
Argentina loves 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 – control the ball, pass a lot, and wait for magic from Messi or Álvarez. They’re like a chess master – patient then strike!
In the June 2025 game, Argentina had more possession (60%) and won with one great goal.
Head-to-Head Stats: Who Wins More?
- Total matches: Over 95
- Argentina wins: 60+
- Chile wins: 6 (but epic ones!)
- Draws: 28
- Recent: Argentina unbeaten in last 8 games vs Chile.
Biggest Chile win: 7-0 in 1974! Argentina’s biggest: 6-1 in 2017.
Why Lineups Matter: It’s Like a Puzzle
The lineup is the starting 11 players + substitutes. Coaches pick based on who’s fit, who’s good against the opponent, and strategy. For example, if Chile needs goals, they start Sánchez up front. Argentina rests Messi sometimes to keep him fresh.
In qualifiers, changes happen due to injuries or suspensions. Like in 2025, Argentina missed some players but still won.
Fun Facts for Kids (and Adults!)
- Chile’s nickname “La Roja” comes from their red kit – like a chili pepper!
- Argentina has three World Cup stars on their badge.
- Messi and Sánchez were teammates at Barcelona – old friends!
- The stadium in Santiago holds 49,000 fans – imagine that many people cheering!
What’s Next? Future Matches
No Chile vs Argentina in November 2025 qualifiers, but they could play in 2026 World Cup or friendlies. Argentina is favorite always, but Chile loves upsets!
If you’re watching, root for exciting football. Who’s your favorite player?
This rivalry teaches us: Play hard, respect opponents, and enjoy the game. Soccer brings people together!
