Argentina take on Peru, who are one place about them in fourth, on Friday, before a final game against Ecuador five days later that could prove decisive as to whether Messi’s side qualify for the tournament.
Chile, on the other hand, sit in sixth place in the CONMEBOL standings. They take on Ecuador in Santiago on Friday before finishing the qualifying campaign with a daunting trip to Brazil on October 11.
The top four sides automatically qualify for Russia 2018, while the side in fifth face a two-legged play-off against Oceania winners New Zealand in November.
Both teams will be hoping results in other games help them out, but Argentina and Chile, as well as Messi and Sanchez, will be hoping to put in solid performances and earn two wins out of two over the next seven days.
