Argentina staring at the unthinkable
IN TROUBLE: TWO-TIME WINNERS MIGHT NOT QUALIFY
Talented strikers fire blanks in shock draw against Peru.
Buenos Aires
Twice champions and 2014 runners-up Argentina were in serious danger of failing to reach the 2018 World Cup finals after being held to a 0-0 draw by Peru on Thursday.
Lionel Messi's side are on 25 points in sixth place in the 10team South American group, with only the top four teams qualifying automatically for Russia.
The fifth-placed side, currently Peru, qualify for a play-off against Oceania champions New Zealand.
Argentina visit Ecuador at high altitude in Quito in the final round of matches on Tuesday while Peru, who are hoping to go to the finals for the first time in 36 years, host Colombia in Lima.
Brazil have already qualified for Russia on 38 points, while Uruguay (28) need just a draw from their final game against Bolivia to advance. Chile are third with Colombia fourth, both on 26 points.
Argentina have struggled for goals in a poor qualifying campaign in which they have been under three coaches.
But it was not for want of trying, with Messi hitting the post, that they ended up with a third successive draw in qualifiers under Jorge Sampaoli.
Argentina had the lion’s share of possession and chances, although good ones, were scarce.
Messi had a shot from an Angel di Maria corner deflected wide by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese early in the first half and later skimmed the outside of the post.
In-between, Peru might have taken the lead but Jefferson Farfan fired the ball past the near post from a low cross from the left. Argentina should have gone ahead in first-half stoppage time when Messi lifted a looping cross into the box but striker Dario Benedetto headed over the bar.
Right from the restart, Argentina could have scored from two good chances.
Messi hit the post after picking up a rebound off Gallese and the goalkeeper soon after leapt to save a long range effort by Lucas Biglia.
Gallese also saved at pointblank range from Papu Gomez and substitute Emiliano Rigoni was also wide after a mazy run by Messi.
Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago came on for Ever Banega after an hour but lasted less than 10 minutes before twisting his knee and having to be replaced by Enzo Perez in Sampaoli’s final change.
Peru striker Paolo Guerrero almost snatched a goal at the death with a freekick that Sergio Romero tipped over his bar. – Reuters