Standup9ja: Brazil
Qualify For 2018 World Cup While Argentina And Uruguay Struggle
Brazil on
Tuesday became the first nation to qualify for next year’s World Cup, joining
hosts Russia, with a dominant 3-0 win over Paraguay – clinching an eighth
consecutive victory.
This is just
as Bolivia took advantage of Lionel Messi’s absence to claim a comfortable 2-0
victory, harming Argentina’s hopes of World Cup qualification in La Paz.
Argentina
had been rocked just hours before kick-off after confirmation Messi had been
hit with a four-match ban following a ruling from disciplinary chiefs at world
governing body FIFA in Zurich.
The
Barcelona superstar was stunned after being suspended for four of Argentina’s
five remaining World Cup qualification matches for swearing at an official in a
game against Chile last week.
Messi’s
suspension left Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza forced to make a hasty reshuffle
to his starting line-up, bringing in Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa in attack
while leaving Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero on the bench.
But
Argentina, clearly struggling in the thin air of La Paz, which is 3,600 metres
(11,800 feet) above sea level, were well beaten at the Estadio Hernando Siles.
Following
Uruguay’s upset 2-1 defeat to Peru in the day’s final South American qualifier
combined with other results meant Brazil are mathematically guaranteed a place
at next year’s finals in Russia.
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