Mancini bombs out of WC but gets to keep job
Argentina trounce Venezuela while Ghana, Nigeria play to goalless draw
● Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina has backed coach Roberto Mancini to continue in his role despite the team failing to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Italy, which did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, missed out on soccer’s global showpiece again after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to North Macedonia in Thursday’s playoff semi-final.
Since lifting their fourth World Cup trophy in 2006, Italy have not played a knockout game in the World Cup, having only won one group stage match at the finals in that time.
“I hope Mancini continues with us,” Gravina said.
“He has a commitment with us for this project. I hope he can shake off this elimination just like all the Italians and that he remains at the helm to continue our work together.”
The Azzurri were feted as national heroes after they won the European Championship in July 2021 but the team have crashed back to earth after missing out on the World Cup finals for the second time running.
“Just as we accepted the praise last summer, we must accept the criticism coming our way, but I must try to protect this national team,” Gravina added.
“We go forward with heads held high. We must not lose the enthusiasm of last summer... Criticism is fine, but we don’t want the risk of doing even more damage.”
There was a far more jubilant mood in Buenos Aires where Lionel Messi paid tribute to Argentina fans in what could be their last home game before November’s World Cup finals. He said the raucous support in their 3-0 win over Venezuela was vital in preserving his happiness.
“I didn’t expect anything less of people, of the union between the Argentina public and this team,” Messi said after their comfortable win at Boca Juniors’ Bombonera stadium.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has struggled at Paris Saint Germain since signing from Barcelona in August 2021 but he was as spritely as ever against a poor Venezuela side and the adoration of the home crowd was evident.
Argentina fans revere Messi, and all the more so since he led them to the Copa America in 2021 - their first major international honour in 28 years.
The feeling is mutual, with Messi leading his teammates on a victory lap around the ground and chanting and singing along with the 50,000-strong crowd.
“I’ve been happy here for a long time, since before we won the Copa America,” Messi said. “People have shown that they love me and I am grateful for that. Everything flows naturally, that makes it easier on and off the pitch.”
Friday’s game marked Messi’s return to the national side after being rested for Argentina’s previous two World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. He made several unsuccessful attempts at goal from free kicks outside the box but eventually scored the third, a curious miskick metres from goal. Messi chested down a pass from Angel Di Maria and, although he didn’t connect cleanly, it was enough to beat Venezuela’s diving goalkeeper.
The 82nd minute goal came after earlier efforts from Nicolas Gonzalez and Di Maria, whose clever play and passes opened up a stuffy Venezuelan rearguard.
Argentina are one of four South American sides to have qualified for the Qatar finals, along with Brazil, Ecuador and Uruguay.
The final round of qualifying games next Tuesday will determine whether Peru, Colombia or Chile go into a playoff against a team from the Asian confederation.
Argentina travel to Ecuador for their final game.
Closer to home, regional rivals Ghana and Nigeria played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their World Cup playoff in Kumasi on Friday, leaving the tie wide open when they meet again in Abuja on Tuesday to decide a place at the World Cup.
The “Jollof Derby”, so-called after the rice dish popular in both countries, failed to produce much spice and will have left fans unsatisfied after a myriad of mistakes and poor decision-making marked the game.
Home side Ghana had more of the possession and chances but proved sloppy in their finishing. Only twice did they test keeper Francis Uzoho, who made a stop from a stinging shot by Issahaku Fatawu in the 33rd minute and then again in the 71st minute from Mohammed Kudus.
Nigeria’s best opening fell to Moses Simon 10 minutes into the second-half but he squandered the chance to score a vital away goal.
Nigeria were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left when Idrissu Baba Mohamed handled the ball after being tripped in his own penalty area, but after a VAR check the referee changed his decision and handed Ghana a free kick.
Ghana were playing their first game under new coach Otto Addo, who had former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton as a consultant. He handed debuts to AS Roma teenager Felix Ohene-Gyan and 33-yearold former Belgium defender Denis Odoi, who switched allegiance ahead of the two-legged playoff.
Leicester City’s Ademola Lookman, who had previously played for England at under-21 level, made his Nigeria debut as a substitute for the last 15 minutes. .