Tag: World cup qualifiers

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Brazil cruise past Paraguay

Mueez Ajao

– Brazil scored twice in the last four minutes, the second a first international goal from Real Madrid striker Rodrygo, to cap a comfortable 4-0 win over Paraguay in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Belo Horizonte.

– The defeat ended Paraguay’s hopes of qualifying for Qatar and further cemented Brazil’s position as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in December.

– Brazil top the South American qualifying group with no defeats in 15 games and the win extended to 61 matches their unbeaten home record in World Cup qualifiers.

Also Read: World Cup qualifiers: A massive point for Ecuador against Brazil

– Paraguay, who have yet to win any of their first five games under coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto, are second bottom of the 10-team group with 13 points from 16 games.

– It was a successful but frustrating night for Raphinha, who scored one, had another chalked off, and also hit the post.

– The Leeds United winger thought he had put Brazil 1-0 up after just 93 seconds only to see the goal ruled out after a lengthy consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

– However, with 28 minutes gone he superbly controlled a long ball from Marquinhos and wriggled between two defenders to put Brazil 1-0 ahead.

– He was unlucky not to get another early in the second half but saw his volley come back off the post.

– Philippe Coutinho got a deserved second for the home side just after the hour when he placed a sumptuous shot into the top corner of the net from 30 meters out.

– Antony made the scoreline more reflective of the play with four minutes left when he curled a left-foot shot past a helpless keeper.

– And Rodrygo tapped home a minute later to round off a commanding performance from the five-times world champions.

– Vinicius Jnr, Matheus Cunha, and Lucas Paqueta also came close for Brazil, who, with qualification already guaranteed, fielded a much-changed side.

– Talismanic striker Neymar was out injured and there were rare starts for goalkeeper Ederson, midfielder Fabinho, left back Alex Telles and captain on the night Dani Alves.

– New Newcastle signing Bruno Guimaraes made a substitute appearance in the second half.

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World Cup qualifiers: A massive point for Ecuador against Brazil

Mueez Ajao

– Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson believes he has achieved a footballing first by having two red cards rescinded in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

– The 29-year-old was initially dismissed in the 25th minute after catching former West Ham striker Enner Valencia with a high boot.

– But replays changed the referee’s mind, before Alisson was similarly reprieved for a late foul on Ayrton Preciado.

Also Read: World Cup qualifiers: Di Maria stars as Argentina edge Chile

– “I think this was the first time this has happened,” said Alisson.

– “I am happy with the VAR, if it wasn’t for the VAR we’d have been punished unfairly.

– “I think my team-mates helped me a lot, they were incisive in their complaints to the referee. This shows once again the importance of using VAR in football.”

– Alisson couldn’t prevent Felix Torres’ late header earning the hosts a draw in an eventful World Cup qualifier in which both sides had a player sent off, without VAR coming to their rescue.

– Brazil, who have already qualified, went ahead through Casemiro’s close-range effort in the fifth minute.

– Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez was sent off for a reckless challenge after 15 minutes, before Brazil’s Emerson Royal was dismissed five minutes later.

– The hosts had a goal disallowed but Torres’ late header rescued a point.

– Ecuador are third in the 10-nation South American qualifying standings – the top four qualify automatically for the World Cup.

– Brazil have already qualified for this year’s finals in Qatar, along with Argentina.

– Ecuador also had two penalty awards overturned by VAR – including one in second-half stoppage time.

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World Cup qualifiers: Di Maria stars as Argentina edge Chile

Mueez Ajao

– Goals from Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 2-1 win in Chile on Thursday in their World Cup qualifier as the visitors collected the three points without Lionel Messi.

– Argentina opted to rest Messi after his COVID-19 infection, but his Paris Saint-Germain team mate Di Maria stepped up to give the visitors the lead with a trademark curling shot from outside the box after 10 minutes.

– Chile’s English-born striker Ben Brereton equalised just over 10 minutes later when he sent a fine looping header over goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Also Read: Di Maria edge Argentina to win over Uruguay

– Argentina then took advantage of an injury to Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to seal the win 11 minutes before half-time.

– Bravo was preparing to be substituted when Rodrigo de Paul fired in a fierce drive from 30 metres, and with the goalkeeper only able to parry the shot Lautaro Martinez followed up to slot home the rebound.

– “We knew it was going to be difficult at high altitude and after a long flight,” said Di Maria. “The important thing is that we come away with a win.

– “Everything is always much easier when Leo is here. The important thing is that we keep working like we’ve been doing and bringing joy to Argentines.”

– The result, which was also achieved without the presence of talismanic coach Lionel Scaloni, who was isolating at home due to COVID-19, marks Argentina’s 28th game without defeat.

– Brereton’s goal was the first against Argentina in seven qualifiers.

– “Today we were without the best in the world and our coach as well but we got the victory and this is also for them,” said Di Maria.

– The result was a huge blow to Chile’s hopes of qualifying for Qatar. They are seventh, on 16 points, in the 10-team South American qualifying group with only three matches to play.

– The top four qualify automatically and the fifth-placed team goes into a playoff with a side from the Asian confederation.

– Leaders Brazil and second-placed Argentina have already qualified and Ecuador, who are third with 24 points, are almost certain to join them.

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World Cup qualifiers: Suarez edges Uruguay past Paraguay

Mueez Ajao

– Talisman Luis Suarez nets superb second-half winner before Gustavo Gomez is sent off late on as visitors boost hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.

Luis Suarez scored a stunning second-half winner as Uruguay boosted their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

The Atletico Madrid latched onto a Diego Godin pass to fire a left-footed shot past Paraguay goalkeeper Anthony Silva in the 65th minute.

Also Read: Di Maria edge Argentina to win over Uruguay

Gustavo Gomez was sent off late on for a second bookable offence.

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Argentina plan World Cup qualifiers without Messi

Messi

Lionel Messi has not been included in Lionel Scaloni’s latest Argentina squad as he continues to recover from coronavirus.

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward has not played a match in almost a month, with the 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at Lorient on Dec. 22 being his most recent outing.

He contracted COVID-19 while back home in Argentina during the mid-season break, forcing him to return to France later than initially planned.

Messi seemed all set to return to action against Lyon on Jan. 9, but PSG said he needed to continue his recovery and then he also missed the 2-0 win over Brest on Saturday.

While he said last week that “I have almost recovered”, Messi did reveal on social media that getting over the illness took “longer than I thought”.

Given his situation, Argentina have seemingly deemed it pointless risking Messi or further disrupting his recovery given they have already secured qualification for this year’s World Cup.

Argentina travel to Chile on Thursday before hosting Colombia five days later, with both opponents still desperately fighting for the right to play at Qatar 2022.

La Albiceleste’s other remaining qualifiers are against Venezuela and surprise-package Ecuador in March.

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Super Eagles arrive in Cape Verde for 2022 World Cup qualifier

Players of the senior men’s national football team and their officials on Monday arrived in Cape Verde bubbling with enthusiasm, ahead of Tuesday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles players and officials arrived at the Amilcar Cabral International Airport at about 10.30 a.m.

Their arrival was confirmed on the team’s official Facebook page.

“We have landed in Sao Vincente, Cape Verde! GAME On…” a statement on the Super Eagles official Facebook page read.

The team was however unable to arrive at their earlier designated airport at Sao Vincente, venue of the match, as the airport was closed down.

“We have arrived Cape Verde! However, we are currently at the Amilcar Cabral International Airport as we couldn’t land in Sao Vincente where the match will be played because the Cesária Évora Airport had closed.

“We’re still here and will take off from here soon. It’s just an hour flight. Thanks for your support always!” an earlier statement read.

NAN reports that the Super Eagles began their 2022 World Cup race on a winning note after defeating visiting Lone Stars of Liberia 2-0 in Lagos on Friday.

They will face the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde on Tuesday.

The Gernot Rohr-led team currently lead the Group C table with three points, two points above hosts Cape Verde who played out a 1-1 draw against Central Africa Republic (CAR) on Thursday.

NAN also reports that the Nigerian team is however depleted ahead of playing away to Cape Verde due to COVID-19 red-alert UK restrictions on the Island country.

Rohr will not have the services of all the Britain-based players, including Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

The former Manchester City forward was “Man of the Match” against Liberia and scored the match’s two goals.

Others who would not be available for Tuesday’s tie include defenders Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers) and William Ekong (Watford FC).

The rest are midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers), and striker Alex Iwobi (Everton FC).

The team had their final training session on Sunday morning before taking off to Cape Verde.

Tuesday’s match will hold at the 5,000-capacity Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena in Mindelo, from 2 p.m. Nigerian time.