BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni urged his players not to underestimate a "motivated" Peru when the teams meet in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Reigning World Cup and Copa America champion Argentina currently leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 22 points from 11 games while Peru is ninth, with just one victory so far.

Victory for Argentina at La Bombonera will all but guarantee Scaloni's men a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Peru, meanwhile, must win to keep their fading hopes alive.

"The level is even and Peru is in need of points, which makes the match very difficult," Scaloni told a news conference on Monday.

"Even though we lost our last match [against Paraguay last Thursday], we will continue on our path and we'll strive to give our best. We know that we can improve."

Scaloni pointed out that "anything could occur" in the South American qualifying tournament due to the high quality of even the lowest-ranked teams.

"You only have to look at the replays of matches across the region to realize how closely matched the teams are and how difficult it is to win," Scaloni added. Enditem

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