Despite 0-0 against Brazil, Argentina solved the World Cup ticket

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 been confirmed as the World Cup starter.

“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 detract from the mood: the Argentine national team, and above all Messi, threw fans in the province into euphoria. For the last few days, fans were waiting in queue for hours to get tickets.

Messi fit again – Neymar was missing

Messi was back on the field with a knee injury and the PSG star only came close to scoring a goal when Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson crossed a shot. His club partner Neymar was absent from Brazil due to a muscle problem. Vinicius Jr. missed a good chance for “Selecao” and Fred hit a bar. Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi escaped the red card after elbowing Rafinha and a video assistant’s decision. This angered the Brazilian team boss Tite. It was “impossible” to see that, he told 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 eliminated from the top four of South American qualification. The fifth player will play in the Intercontinental Play-off for the second starting place. Ecuador now has good chances, after Brazil and Argentina, with Colombia currently ranked fourth behind Peru, Chile and Uruguay. Bolivia is still in full swing after beating Uruguay 3-0.

Canada is climbing

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. Most recently, in the 1986 World Cup, Canadians 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.

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 for five African World Cup tickets in five knockout matches with two legs