Share

Depleted Argentina, Brazil look to recover in qualifiers

Following their quarter-final exit at the Copa America and a rocky start to qualification, Dunga’s men will go into the clash with Argentina on the back of a win, while Gerardo Martino’s men have taken just a point from their meetings with Ecuador and Paraguay.

Advertisement

Paraguay, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of an important 1-0 win away in Venezuela.

The 2014 World Cup finalists were beaten 2-0 by Ecuador in their first 2018 World Cup qualifier last week, before securing a goalless draw with Paraguay to move onto one point in the group.

Brazil coach Dunga urged his players to be cautious as they prepare for their November 13 CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifying match against fierce South American rival Argentina.

Venezuela responded through Christian Santos in the 64th, but 35-year-old striker Ricardo Oliveira sealed the win for Brazil in the 73rd.

Paraguay versus Argentina takes place at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco on Wednesday, October 14 with a kick-off time of 11.00am AEST.

With Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore in their ranks, Argentina boast of an embarrassment of riches in attack. It will depend on injuries, we will review it to decide the game’.

Dario Lezcano saw his venomous shot from the top of the box blocked by Romero in the 39th minute, moments after Paraguay had lost influential midfielder Nestor Ortigoza through injury.

The likes of Derlis Gonzalez and Lucas Barrios could cause their uninspiring defence a few problems as Ecuador did, but Argentina should still have enough about them to grind out a win. Striker Diego Rolan doubled the lead in the 51st and second-half substitute Abel Hernandez added the insurance goal in the 88th.

He then suffered a broken nose early in the second half, when he was hit by defender Victor Caceres’ elbow and spent four minutes being bandaged up.

While Brazil were celebrating their first three points of the young campaign, Copa America champions Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay all notched their second victories in as many matches to stand tied on six points apiece.

Advertisement

In Lima, Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas scored two goals apiece for Chile in the 4-3 win over Peru.

If E No Be Messi: Tevez Cannot Operate Like Messi – Martino