Argentina Still Depends on The Messiah
Argentina Still Depends on The Messiah
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LA PAZ - Argentina dependency to Lionel Messi is still strong. Tango team are out of the automatic qualification places for the World Cup 2018 after losing 2-0 to Bolivia hours after Messi was given a four-match ban for abusing an official.
Player who dubbed The Messiah was punished for using "insulting words" towards an assistant referee during Thursday's 1-0 win over Chile.
Juan Carlos Arce and Marcelo Martins scored for Bolivia, while Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori was taken off on a stretcher for Argentina. And Argentina now in fifth place.
Messi will also miss three of Argentina's remaining four games against Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela later this year, though Argentina plan to appeal against the severity of his ban.
Only the top four teams in South America will qualify automatically for the World Cup in Russia next summer, with the team in fifth facing the winners of the Oceania group in a two-legged play-off.
Colombia are now second behind now qualified Brazil as they beat Ecuador 2-0 with goals from James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado.
"Bolivia won fair and square. We are still alive and we want to qualify for the World Cup. We know that this is going to be a battle and we are going to keep fighting," Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza said.
Funes Mori was taken off with a knee injury just four days after Everton team-mate Seamus Coleman broke his leg playing for the Republic of Ireland.
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As known, Lionel Messi was banned for four international matches, just five and a half hours before Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Bolivia kicked off. The Barcelona forward was punished for directing "insulting words" at an assistant referee during Thursday's 1-0 win over Chile.
Messi, who scored the only goal in the qualifier, was angered when he was penalised for a foul, waving and shouting at the assistant in response. The 29 year old player also fined £8,100. He will miss his country's next four competitive fixtures.
Argentina are third in South American qualifying, with the top four teams advancing to next summer's finals in Russia. There are five matches still to play.
Player who dubbed The Messiah was punished for using "insulting words" towards an assistant referee during Thursday's 1-0 win over Chile.
Juan Carlos Arce and Marcelo Martins scored for Bolivia, while Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori was taken off on a stretcher for Argentina. And Argentina now in fifth place.
Messi will also miss three of Argentina's remaining four games against Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela later this year, though Argentina plan to appeal against the severity of his ban.
Only the top four teams in South America will qualify automatically for the World Cup in Russia next summer, with the team in fifth facing the winners of the Oceania group in a two-legged play-off.
Colombia are now second behind now qualified Brazil as they beat Ecuador 2-0 with goals from James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado.
"Bolivia won fair and square. We are still alive and we want to qualify for the World Cup. We know that this is going to be a battle and we are going to keep fighting," Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza said.
Funes Mori was taken off with a knee injury just four days after Everton team-mate Seamus Coleman broke his leg playing for the Republic of Ireland.
As known, Lionel Messi was banned for four international matches, just five and a half hours before Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Bolivia kicked off. The Barcelona forward was punished for directing "insulting words" at an assistant referee during Thursday's 1-0 win over Chile.
Messi, who scored the only goal in the qualifier, was angered when he was penalised for a foul, waving and shouting at the assistant in response. The 29 year old player also fined £8,100. He will miss his country's next four competitive fixtures.
Argentina are third in South American qualifying, with the top four teams advancing to next summer's finals in Russia. There are five matches still to play.
(rnz)
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