Argentina have claimed a 3-0 home win over Chile thanks to second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala, strengthening their grip on top of the South American World Cup qualifying.
The Copa America champions looked dominant and untroubled by the absence of talismen Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, who received a tribute at the Monumental stadium after his international retirement.
Argentina opened the scoring three minutes after the break, when Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister sent the ball into the net first-time off a cross from Alvarez, who also got on the scoresheet with a long-range effort in the 84th minute.
Substitute Dybala found the net in stoppage time to seal the victory that left the World Cup winners with 18 points, five clear of second-placed Uruguay who host Paraguay.
Argentina will play at Colombia in a rematch of the Copa America final on Tuesday, while Chile host Bolivia who beat Venezuela 4-0 earlier on Thursday.
