Argentina 1-1 Venezuela
My word, Argentina don’t half make life difficult for themselves.
Venezuela, the nation with a goal difference of minus 17 and just seven points from their 15 games ahead of this Buenos Aires encounter, certainly weren’t meant to be a threat to the South American giants.
That they upset the betting odds and sports betting expectations has left Jorge Sampaoli’s side in further danger of missing out on automatic qualification for the biggest show on earth next summer.
Football games such as these are supposed to be more straightforwardly negotiable.
Indeed, but for a second half own goal, this could have been embarrassing for the hosts who remain fifth in the CONMEBOL qualifying group standings with only the top four guaranteed a place at Russia 2018.
The fifth-placed finishers will face a two leg play-off against New Zealand in November and, while Sampaoli’s men should have enough to see off opponents from the southern hemisphere should they stay in that position, they were expected to see off rock bottom Venezuela on home turf too.
Despite dominating throughout, Argentina trailed to a Jhon Murillo goal before Rolf Feltscher put through his own net.
The hamstring injury sustained by Angel Di Maria in the first half and the ineffectiveness of Lionel Messi summed up their night, yet they still live to fight another day.
Chile went down to Bolivia so their fate remains in their own hands. Defeat fourth-placed Peru and Ecuador in their remaining qualifiers and all of their struggles will be put to one side.
La Albiceleste’s quest to go one better than in 2014, when they were beaten deep into extra-time by world champions Germany, and emulate their fabled predecessors in 1978 and 1986, is still alive – just!
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