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Lionel Messi's goal in the 16th minute was the difference as Argentina beat Chile 1-0 Thursday in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the El Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
While five more matchdays remain after Thursday, both Argentina and Chile entered El Monumental looking for a positive result.
The host has largely been a mess behind the scenes, with the 2014 death of Argentina Football Association chief Julio Grondona exacerbating the internal turmoil. Those problems have spilled onto the pitch, in the form of Messi's brief retirement and the departure of former coach Gerardo Martino.