06.09.2009 10:44
Alves’ Brazil see off Messi's Argentina
www.fcbarcelona.cat
The most attractive of this week’s World Cup qualifiers saw Brazil inflict a 1-3 win over Argentina to book their place in South Africa and seriously dent their hosts hopes at the same time.
The Argentinean star could do little to stop Brazil’s progress in front of a 42,000 crowd in
his town Rosario as Dunga’s team inflicted only the second ever home defeat in a World Cup
qualifier for the hosts.
Good start, but Brazil power through
Argentina, led by Messi, started well and dominated possession early on, but Luisao
on 23 minutes and Luis Fabiano on the half hour gave Brazil a 0-2 lead. The goals shook Argentina
and although Datalo pegged one back on 65 minutes, Luis Fabiano stretched the lead again almost
immediately afterwards. With the game in the bag, Dunga brought on Alves for the final 22 minutes.
Argentina holding on to fourth spot
The top four teams from South America go through automatically and Brazil are sure of a place on 30
points, three clear of second placed Paraguay and Chile, with Argentina a further five points
adrift holding on to fourth spot with Ecuador and Colombia two points behind them. Argentina face a
tough trip to Paraguay on Wednesday, with a home game against Peru and a trip to Uruguay in October
closing their fixtures.