Argentina 0-0 Peru
The result between Argentina and Peru was a draw, so you might wonder why I consider this a fantastic live betting victory for Peru. If you’re not updated with the current situation of the South American qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, I’ll give you a brief run.
An Argentina side led by football betting favourite Lionel Messi was dangerously sitting right outside the automatic qualification slots, in the playoff position. With Peru just right behind them, a result other than a win could knock the Albiceleste out of the all-important spot.
Betting websites may love Argentina, but their form has been nothing short of disappointing so far. The tight competition at the table gave the game a lot of weight for the World Cup hopes of the two nations.
Dario Benedetto definitely did a brilliant job as Sergio Aguero’s stand-in, threatening to score 12 minutes into the match. Even Messi had a crack or two at goal. However, it was Ricardo Gareca’s defensive tactics that got Peru the moral win today.
There were always two to three Blanquirroja shirts ready to stifle whatever attacks Argentina forced on them. Pedro Gallese was brilliant in trying to stop any dangerous balls that came flying toward the net.
The story of the entire game went like this: Argentina had the majority of possession, came up with a brilliant play to get close to the goal, and Peru were more than ready to plug any defensive gaps.
Peru had a chance to bring in three points late in the game when Pablo Guerrero fired in a dangerous free kick from yards outside the box. Had the shot flown a ball lower, we could have been looking at a dejected Lionel Messi.
This is not the worst situation Argentina and their football-crazy supporters could ever find themselves into, but they are dire straits nevertheless. They need to win against Ecuador while praying Colombia beat Peru to get the top spot.
Pinning their hopes on James Rodriguez and company is not a smart thing, but it’s all the Albiceleste can do for now.
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