Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Gabriel Mercado’s goal against Chile during their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday. Argentina won 2-1. (Photo: AP)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Gabriel Mercado’s goal against Chile during their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday. Argentina won 2-1. (Photo: AP)
Argentina avenged their Copa America final defeat to Chile with a 2-1 victory on Thursday as Ecuador scrambled a late draw with Paraguay to preserve their unbeaten start to South America’s 2018 World Cup qualifying competition.
Goals from Angel Di Maria and defender Gabriel Mercado secured a vital three points for Argentina in Santiago after Chile had taken an 11th-minute lead through Felipe Gutierrez at the National Stadium.
Victory was sweet for Argentina, who were beaten on penalties by Chile at the same venue in the final of last year’s Copa America, extending the two-time world champions title drought.
More importantly, the win got Argentina’s 2018 qualification bid firmly back on the road after a shaky start last year which saw them win only one of their opening four games.
“Im very happy with the three points as it was important to come here and get a win,” said Argentina’s returning captain Lionel Messi, who had missed the first four matches of qualifying last year because of injury.
“I missed being with my teammates. I felt really good in the first half but I was a bit tired in the second half,” the Barcelona superstar added.
Argentina recovered after a rocky opening spell which culminated with Gutierrez’s header opener after 11 minutes.
Yet Argentina got back on level terms after 20 minutes Di Maria exchanged passes with Ever Banega inside the penalty area and curled home a right-footed strike past Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. — AFP
Ecuador, Paraguay in a stalemate Elsewhere Ecuador scrambled a 2-2 draw with Paraguay in Quito thanks to a controversial injury-time equaliser from Angel Mena.
Ecuador had looked to be heading for their first defeat after Paraguay recovered from Enner Valencia’s 19th minute effort to lead through two goals from Dario Lezcano.
But when Mena latched onto a through ball from what looked like an offside position, Ecuador grabbed a share of the spoils.
The late blow left Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz distraught. “Every journalist knows that the second goal was offside. It’s a shame because Ecuador has a great team and a great coach’. They dont need to get help like this. We deserved the three points,” Diaz said.
