Argentina have drawn with Brazil, qualifying for the World Cup

Argentina secured their place in next year’s World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Brazil on Tuesday, giving Lionel Messi more chances to win the only major trophy he has left in his career.

Argentina finished second after losing 2-0 at home to Chile in third place.

Brazil, the leader in the competition, has already secured the first of four direct entries from South America for Qatar by 2022.

There were few chances for Argentina and Brazil in a tense match marked by Messi’s low keys and Neymar’s absence from injury. Goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez and Alisson were spectators throughout the match.

Raphinha’s injury

The most controversial moment of the match in San Juan in northwestern Argentina was in the 35th minute when Raphinha hit Nicolas Otemendi’s elbow and started bleeding. There was no video review of the move. The Brazilian needed five points at the break.

Messi, who played the entire game after recovering from a knee injury, said he felt good on the field. He only played 15 minutes for Argentina to beat Uruguay 1-0 last week against Brazil.

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“It’s not easy to play at the pace that this match required,” Messi said after the match. He had only one chance near the last corner from the edge of the area, but was easily saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson.

Brazilian player Fred, who hit the bar with a shot in the 60th minute, said he tried his team’s defense once more and got it in the playoffs. “We didn’t score a goal today, we missed some chances, but we are empty again,” he said. “We hope to get to the World Championships well.”

The most controversial moment of the match in San Juan in northwestern Argentina was in the 35th minute when Raphinha hit Nicolas Otemendi’s elbow in the mouth and started bleeding. There was no video review of the move. The Brazilian needed five points at the break.

Brazilian coach Tite appeared unusually upset with what happened to Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha and his assistant video referees.

“It’s impossible to just not see Otamendi’s elbow on Raphinha,” he said. “Would that decide the match? I don’t know. It was a great match, but there is one element (lack) that should be the same. For both teams.”

The Argentine Scaloni admitted that both teams have few chances but his team’s entry into Qatar was directly focused.

“This year has been wonderful. We won the America’s Cup, we qualified for the World Cup, and we are in an unbeaten streak, ”he said, referring to his team’s 17 wins and 10 draws against Brazil in the 2019 America’s Cup final. “Qualifying so early, in such a tough knockout, is something to be proud of.”

Uruguay lost to Bolivia

Two-time World Cup champions Uruguay lost 3-0 in Bolivia and will end the year out of the standings for a place in Qatar, finishing seventh in a 10-team round-robin competition.

The Uruguayan team is four games away from qualifying.

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The top four teams in South America get direct access to the World Cup. The fifth-place finisher will enter a cross-continent playoff next year in Qatar.

Bolivia opened the scoring in the 30th minute when goalkeeper Fernando Muslera failed to hold on to Juan Carlos Arce’s cross. Marcelo Martins finished second at the height of La Paz in the 45th with a header.

Arce finished 79th with another header. It could have been worse for Uruguay if Bolivia had not missed a penalty in the second half.

Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez said in a post-match press conference that he does not “throw in the towel”.

“I’m a professional, I signed the contract and it says everything I need to do,” the veteran coach said. “I don’t know who asked me to work for that (resignation) after this time.”

In his second season with Uruguay, Tabárez led the team to the last three World Cups, including a memorable campaign for the 2010 South African finals. He also won the 2011 American Cup.

Peru has beaten Venezuela

After Peru beat Uruguay 2-1 in Venezuela, Ricardo Gareca’s team led by 17 points along with Colombia, who drew 0-0 with Paraguay.

Gianluca Lapadula opened the scoring in the 18th minute and the Venezuelan Darwin Machis equalized in the 52nd minute. Christian Cueva scored in the 65th minute, and Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saved a penalty to keep his team in the lead.