-
Diego Maradona - Source: Reuters -
Related
Striker Nelson Haedo scored just before the half hour to secure
Paraguay's place in South Africa next year, sending Diego
Maradona's team crashing to a third successive qualifying defeat
and their fourth loss in six qualifiers.
Paraguay climbed to second in the South American group on 30
points, with only goal difference separating them from leaders
Brazil, who have a home game against Chile later on Thursday.
Argentina, in grave danger of failing to qualify, dropped out of
the top four automatic berths, their place taken by Ecuador. They
occupy fifth place which would send them into a two-leg playoff
against the CONCACAF's fourth-placed team.
Haedo exchanged a one-two with midfielder Edgar Bonet in a flowing
attack that scythed through the Argentina defence before fellow
striker Salvador Cabanas set him up to score with a low shot past
diving keeper Sergio Romero and inside the far post.
Argentina lost midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, one of their better
players in a poor team performance, eight minutes into the second
half when he was sent off for a high tackle, his second bookable
offence.
