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Chile's Claudio Bravo is relishing the challenge of facing Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and other star players when he earns his 100th cap in Thursday's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Argentina in Santiago. The goalkeeper, the most capped player for La Roja, will lead his team at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez. Argentina will be bolstered by the return of their captain, Messi, who missed the first four qualifiers last year with a left knee injury. Messi has scored 22 goals and set up 10 more in 25 league appearances this season to help Barca take a nine-point lead at the top of La Liga standings. Asked about facing Messi, Bravo told reporters: "I have never seen Messi have a bad moment. I have spent time with him and have been able to see the class of player that he is. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to face off against him and it is gratifying to be able to play in a match like this one. He is having a great moment. People can fear Messi or [Angel] Di Maria, but we don't care who comes here." The Copa America holders will face Venezuela five days later. Chile and Argentina have endured slow starts in their qualifying campaigns. The Chileans are fifth out of 10 in their qualifying group with seven points, one spot and two points clear of Argentina. The top four teams in the group will qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia while the fifth will go into an intercontinental playoff. Chile have only won one and lost four of their six previous qualifiers against Argentina, their last a 1-0 triumph on Oct. 15, 2008. However, Chile have not lost at home in six games in World Cup qualifying. Their last defeat was to Argentina on Oct. 16, 2012. Chile did have the upper hand in the sides' last meeting, beating Argentina on penalties to win the Copa America last summer.
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