Brazil qualified to WC, Argentina in trouble

Brazil secured their place at the 2010 World Cup with an impressive 3-1 win over arch-rivals Argentina
Rosario (Argentina): Brazil secured their place at the 2010 World Cup with an impressive 3-1 win over arch-rivals Argentina while South America’s other candidates jockeyed for the region’s other three automatic berths. The defeat left Diego Maradona’s side contemplating the dreaded prospect of missing out on the finals but Argentina did cling on to the fourth and final qualifying place after Colombia beat Ecuador 2-0 in another of Saturday’s five-match programme. Chile and Paraguay (27) are both three points behind Brazil (30) and on the verge of sealing spots in South Africa with three matches remaining in the marathon 18-game qualifying round. A Rodrigo Millar equaliser saved the Chileans, who were surprisingly held 2-2 at home by Venezuela. Paraguay beat Bolivia at home with a Salvador Cabanas penalty. Bottom side Peru ended a run of six consecutive losses with a surprise 1-0 home win over Uruguay thanks to Hernan Rengifo’s late strike, compromising the visitors’ chances of at least making fifth place and going into a playoff. The fight is well and truly on for fourth place after Argentina’s defeat, only their second ever at home in a World Cup qualifier after their 5-0 rout by Colombia on exactly the same day 16 years ago. Defeat against Paraguay in Asuncion on Wednesday could leave Argentina once again faced with the prospect of a playoff. This time around it would be against the fourth-placed team in the CONCACAF region, a position occupied by Costa Rica. Brazil’s first-half goals came against the run of play as they made their few chances pay while Argentina squandered the lion’s share of possession. From Brazil’s kickoff, Argentina won the ball and forced a corner when Carlos Tevez went for a low right cross to the near post and goalkeeper Julio Cesar turned the ball over the goal-line. Argentina went on to dictate play and Messi came close with a left-footed free kick but despite some penetrating moves the Brazil defence managed to prevent their finishing touch. Brazil then hit Argentina cold with their first chance when unmarked defender Luisao, the tallest man on the pitch, was allowed to meet Elano’s free kick from the right with a header to the far post that beat the diving Mariano Andujar. Brazil’s next real chance also went in after Andujar failed to hold a shot resulting from a Kaka cross from the left, allowing Luis Fabiano to touch the ball home just past the half hour. Argentina then created a good chance with Julio Cesar saving a shot from Tevez at the near post and Messi’s effort from the rebound being cleared off the line. Maradona made one change at halftime, bringing on striker Sergio Aguero for winger Maxi Rodriguez, but Argentina’s tactics of trying to short-pass their way through the middle of the packed Brazil defence remained unchanged.