Buenos Aires: Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza breathed a sigh of relief as Lionel Messi’s penalty secured a 1-0 win over Chile in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday that put them back in the automatic qualifying spots for next year’s finals in Russia.
Messi beat Claudio Bravo from the spot in the 16th minute after Angel Di Maria had been pushed from behind in the first quarter of a poor, tense match on a terrible River Plate pitch.
Argentina, a shadow of the team that finished World Cup runners-up in 2014, moved into third place in the 10-nation South American group on 22 points, eight behind leaders Brazil and one in arrears to second-placed Uruguay.
Brazil earlier beat Uruguay 4-1, with a superb hat-trick from China-based midfielder Paulinho propelling the win. Neymar netted Brazil’s other goal. Edinson Cavani had put Uruguay one up.
Colombia, who beat Bolivia 1-0 at home, are now in the fourth qualifying place with 21 points, one ahead of Ecuador, who lost 2-1 away to Paraguay and sit in the play-off berth.
“We suffered because we lost the ball but at least we won,” relieved Argentina coach Bauza told reporters.
Meanwhile, in the European zone, Germany midfielder Julian Weigl has been ruled out of Sunday’s World Cup qualifier at Azerbaijan after picking up a thigh injury in their friendly international against England this week.
The 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund player was taken off in the 66th minute of their 1-0 victory over England on Wednesday after a knock on his thigh.
“He left the team camp this Friday morning,” the German football association said on Friday.
Weigl’s departure comes a day after striker Timo Werner was ruled out with a thigh muscle injury.
Germany will have several players back, though, including striker Mario Gomez and Mesut Ozil, who did not take part in the final training session on German soil.
The world champions are top of their qualifying Group C with four wins out of four matches and a five-point lead.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Vincent Janssen is sick and has been left out of the Netherlands squad travelling to Bulgaria for their World Cup qualifier.
Coach Danny Blind has not called up a replacement for Janssen. Blind is taking a 24-player squad for Saturday’s match.
The Netherlands are second in Group A, behind France and level on points with Sweden. Only the top team automatically qualifies for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
