Football: Argentina step up campaign
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The nation that gave the world the tango may not, after all, be dancing in the dark when the elite emerge into the World Cup limelight in France next year.
Argentina rescued their ailing qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Ecuador in Buenos Aires that lifted them into third place in the South American zone. The top four in a league involving all nations in the region will join the holders in the finals.
Ariel Ortega, the latest to follow in Diego Maradona's midfield footsteps, put Argentina ahead and Hernan Crespo, who displaced Gabriel Batistuta, made it 2-0. However, Ortega was overshadowed by his rival No 10, Alex Aguinaga, as Ecuador fought back. Aguinaga pulled a goal back in the 67th minute and then Eduardo Hurtado missed two good chances to equalise for Ecuador.
Second-placed Colombia suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat against Peru, who secured the points with a goal by Jose Pereda. It was Colombia's second successive defeat. They were without their banned Newcastle striker, Faustino Asprilla, who was sent off with Paraguay's goalkeeper, Jose Chilavert, in a fiery encounter earlier this month. It was Colombia's goalkeeper, Farid Mondragon, who let them down, throwing the ball straight to Pereda for the only goal. The defeat was such a shock that their coach, Hernan Dario Gomez, contemplated resigning.
Paraguay made light of Chilavert's absence, moving six points clear at the top by beating Uruguay 3-1 in Asuncion.
Internazionale's Ivan Zamorano was in stunning form on Tuesday, scoring five times in Chile's 6-0 win over Venezuela.
WORLD CUP South American Zone (Tuesday): (Santiago) Chile 6 (Zamorano 19, 26, 31, 47, 85, Reyes 66) Venezuela 0. (Wednesday): (Barranquilla) Colombia 0 Peru 1 (Pereda 61); (Asuncion) Paraguay 3 (Rojas 38, Cardozo pen 74, Soto 82)) Uruguay 1 (Silva 87); (Buenos Aires) Argentina 2 (Ortega 17, Crespo 32) Ecuador 1 (Aguinaga 67)
P W D L F A Pts
Paraguay 10 7 2 1 15 6 23
Colombia 10 5 2 3 15 9 17
Argentina 10 4 4 2 14 10 16
Bolivia 9 3 4 2 14 9 13
Ecuador 10 4 1 5 14 12 13
Peru 10 3 4 3 11 12 13
Uruguay 10 4 1 5 10 14 13
Chile 9 3 3 3 17 12 12
Venezuela 10 0 1 9 6 32 1
(Top four qualify, plus Brazil, the holders)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments