Argentina beats Peru to shut in on World Cup spot; Brazil and Uruguay draw

Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez in motion with Peru’s Carlos Zambrano.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters

Lautaro Martínez’s objective gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday (November 19, 2024) in a South American qualifying match in Buenos Aires and left the hosts near a spot within the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Its essential continental rivals Brazil drew 1-1 in opposition to Uruguay in Salvador, Brazil, with two spectacular objectives in an in any other case lackluster match. Federico Valverde gave Uruguay the lead with a curled shot from the sting of the field, and Gerson netted his first for Brazil in comparable style on the Area Fonte Nova.

Argentina leads South American qualifying with 25 factors from 12 matches, 5 factors away from its closest competitor, Uruguay. Ecuador and Colombia are subsequent with 19 factors every.

Brazil lags in fifth place with 18 factors after a number of uninspiring performances, nonetheless hoping that striker Neymar will return from damage and slot in once more. Paraguay, with 17 factors, is in sixth place.

South American qualifying will give six direct berths within the subsequent World Cup. Seventh-place Bolivia, with 13 factors, is within the worldwide playoff place. Venezuela (12), Chile (9), and Peru (7) are out of qualifying spots.

The subsequent spherical of South American World Cup qualifying shall be performed in March.

Martínez’s objective was his thirty second for the nationwide group, which places him stage with the legendary Diego Maradona.

Till Martínez scored, Argentina’s finest likelihood was within the twenty first minute, when striker Julián Alvarez hit the Peruvian goalkeeper’s proper put up. Messi as soon as once more had a modest efficiency, as he did in his group’s 2-1 defeat at Paraguay on Thursday.

Messi crossed the ball within the penalty space within the fifty fifth minute to present Martínez one of many few clear alternatives of the match. The striker moved his physique with extra grace than energy to place the ball behind the following.

Regardless of the disappointing efficiency at dwelling, Lionel Messi’s group will end the 12 months with few query marks past its performances in November.

“We received Copa America, we lead South American World Cup qualifying,” stated goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. “We have to be happy with ourselves.”

Brazil followers at dwelling in Salvador jeered their group after the ultimate whistle. In a match with few alternatives for both facet, Uruguay appeared nearer to successful for a lot of the second half.

Valverde opened the scoring within the fifty fifth minute after Brazilian defenders failed thrice to clear the ball from their penalty space. The Actual Madrid midfielder hit the ball to the left nook to attain. Gerson equalized within the 61st minute.

Striker Raphinha stated he understood the frustration from his group’s followers, however disagreed with them.

“We performed nice. We did the whole lot we may to go away right here with a victory. We should have our heads excessive up, will probably be very powerful to beat us,” he stated.

Additionally on Tuesday (November 19, 2024), Ecuador received 1-0 at Colombia with a objective by Enner Valencia within the seventh minute, by which he dribbled by three gamers earlier than scoring. Ecuador misplaced defender Piero Hincapié to a pink card within the thirty fourth minute however held on for the win.

Bolivia and Paraguay drew 2-2 in a match between groups that might find yourself combating for the seventh place within the area’s qualifying. Chile, one of many worst performing groups within the area this 12 months, confirmed some combating spirit and beat Venezuela 4-2.