Argentina slumps to 0-0 draw; verges on missing World Cup

BUENOS AIRES — It’s getting late for Lionel Messi, who’ll be 31 during next year’s World Cup in Russia.

He’s yet to deliver a major trophy for Argentina, his country of birth. And it may not happen next year. In fact, Messi and Argentina may not even get there.

Argentina is on the verge of missing the World Cup for the first time since 1970 after stumbling to a 0-0 draw against Peru before a capacity crowd on Thursday at Boca Juniors’ Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires — one of the dominant home-field advantages in all of world soccer.

Only one day of qualifying games remains in South America, and Argentina is off the pace for direct qualification.

“Our situation is not very comfortable,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said, “but it depends on us.”

Argentina, the runner-up to Germany three years ago in Brazil, plays on Tuesday against Ecuador in the thin air of Quito in the Andes. The Argentines are in sixth place, with the top four teams advancing automatically to Russia 2018. The fifthplace team can advance by winning an intercontinental playoff against Oceania champion New Zealand.

Brazil, which has already qualified, drew 0-0 against Bolivia on Thursday. Brazil has 38 points, followed by: Uruguay (28), Chile (26), Colombia (26), Peru (25), Argentina (25) and Paraguay (24).

Uruguay is expected to get through the final round on Tuesday. After that, it’s too close to call, with four teams chasing the two automatic spots.

That will leave two teams trying to reach the playoff, which looms as Argentina’s most probable route. The Argentine squad must win at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) in Quito and get some help.