world cup qualification
Argentina and Brazil split with a goalless draw among the South American giants in qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar. The “Albiceleste” around their star Lionel Messi was enough to qualify as the 13th team for the 2022 finals. Brazil had already booked tickets for the World Cup.
“It was hard work,” Messi said after a very intense game in San Juan, Argentina. Both teams had few chances to score. This did not affect the atmosphere: the Argentine team, and above all Messi, thrilled the fans. For the last few days, fans were waiting in queue for hours to get tickets.
Messi was back on the field with a knee injury and the PSG star only came close to scoring a goal when a shot was crossed by Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson. His club partner Neymar was absent from Brazil due to a muscle problem. Vinicius Jr. missed a good opportunity to “Selecao”, hit once by Fred. Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi escaped the red card against Rafinha after an elbow blow and a video assistant’s decision. This angered the Brazilian team boss Tite. It was “impossible” to see that, he said in the direction of the referee.
Argentina’s participation, now unbeaten in 27 international matches, was not immediately certain. Ecuador then defeated Chile, so Argentina could no longer be ejected from the top four of South American qualification. The fifth player will play in the Intercontinental Play-off for the second starting place.
After Brazil and Argentina, Ecuador now has good chances, with Colombia currently in fourth place behind Peru, Chile and Uruguay. Bolivia is still in full swing after beating Uruguay 3-0.
Canada leads in the CONCACF table
Canada is suddenly on top in the CONCACAF zone (North and Central America, the Caribbean). Cyl Larin scored twice for the home team in a 2-1 win against Mexico at minus eight degrees in Edmonton.
In the most recent World Cup in 1986, Canadian players are still unbeaten after eight rounds with four wins and four draws. They are now one point ahead of USA in the table, who played 1–1 in Jamaica. Brendan Aaronson of Salzburg was on the field for the Americans. Mexico and Panama are one point behind. The top three are firmly in Qatar, with the fourth contesting the play-offs.
Ivory Coast misses out on World Cup
The Ivory Coast team had to bury their World Cup dreams in Africa’s qualification. Cameroon won the hit of the round 1–0 and thus entered the deciding stage. Algeria, Nigeria and Tunisia are also there since Tuesday. Earlier, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Morocco and Senegal had qualified for the play-offs. Ten teams will now compete in five knockout matches with a return stage for five African World Cup tickets.
