Crunch World Cup Qualifier offers Lionel Messi perfect opportunity to avenge demons against Chile

The Argentina-Chile rivalry offered little in the way of competition for almost 100 years. From their first meetings in 1910 up until 2007, Argentina’s record against their neighbours read W55 D22 L5.

The head-to-head from 2008 even reads as four wins to three losses. But those defeats have hurt, while the most recent reverse even steered Lionel Messi towards international retirement.

Copa Americas seldom come in consecutive years, but there was a sense of déjà vu when Chile edged past Argentina on penalties in the 2016 final, 12 months after their first triumph in identical circumstances.

It was another final disappointment for Messi. Having been surrounded during 120 minutes of goalless football, the Barcelona forward then missed a penalty in the shootout as Argentina suffered their third straight defeat in a major final.

The heartache of two Copa America losses straight after a World Cup final defeat to Germany in 2014 all proved too much.

"For me, the national team is over," he said after the 2016 defeat by Chile. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."

Cue street rallies and a flood of online messages. Argentina still needed Messi, and even the country's president urged the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to reconsider his decision.

The pleading worked, and barely two months later Messi reversed his decision to retire.

"A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great," he said.

"We need to fix many things in Argentinian football, but I prefer to do this from inside and not criticise from outside."

Messi’s importance was realised immediately as the 29-year-old scored the winner against Uruguay in September.

However, it’s been far from straightforward for Argentina ever since, with one win from last five qualifiers (D2 L2) leaving them fifth in the standings – only the top four are guaranteed a place in Russia next summer.

Argentina’s precarious position in the table means there’s more than just revenge on the mind of Messi and co when they face Chile on Thursday night. La Roja currently occupy fourth, and the showdown in Buenos Aires could well have a bearing on who secures automatic qualification, and who must face a play-off against a nation from the Oceania Football Confederation.

Few qualifying campaigns offer as much excitement as the CONMEBOL so often throws up. And the straight shootout between the confederation’s 10 national teams is hotting up with just six games to go.

Away matches at Bolivia, Brazil and then Uruguay means it will only get tougher for Argentina, but victory over Chile should set them on their way. Messi will want to make sure of that.