Argentina 0 Peru 0

Argentina’s fortunes largely rest on how other teams perform next week, when they will meet already-eliminated Ecuador who now sit two places below in the table.

Messi had a handful of good chances and hit the post in the first minute of the second half.

The latest result, a goalless draw with Peru on Thursday night in Buenos Aires, has left them sixth in the CONMEBOL qualification group with just one game to go. Colombia, occupying the fourth and final automatic qualification spot, are one point ahead, while Chile in third are on equal points but lead on goals scored.

The result leaves Argentina needing a win in Ecuador to guarantee a play-off against New Zealand.

Runaway leaders Brazil were joined as guaranteed top-four qualifiers by Uruguay, who sealed their place with a 0-0 draw against last-placed Venezuela. But realistically only a win will do, and that will not happen unless they break a goal drought that is inexplicable however you wish to look at it.

One of the main factors of Argentina missing the World Cup would be that Barcelona’s brilliant Lionel Messi would miss the tournament and probably his last chance to win the big one.

These teams are already qualified for World Cup champion Germany secured mselves with a victory over Norrn Ireland World Cup ticket. Messi has scored 11 league goals in seven appearances so far, responsible for 48% of the club’s total number and now the league’s leading goalscorer – and they sit comfortably in first place with five points clear and unbeaten.

Peru have played eight World Cup qualifiers in Argentina, and have not won any of them. “We are very hopeful for everything that comes”.

Messi was nowhere near at his best, but the fact remains his teammates let him down by being so poor in front of goal.

After tonight’s match at La Bombonera, Argentina go on to face Ecuador on at 01:30 CEST on Wednesday, while Peru visit Colombia at the same time. The longer the game wore on, the quieter the home fans became and the greater the threat that Peru might even steal the three points on the counter-attack.

The last matches next Tuesday feature: Uruguay vs. Bolivia, Peru vs. Colombia, Ecuador vs. Argentina, Brazil vs. Chile and Paraguay vs. Venezuela.

The goal may have been one of the easier efforts he has put away, but it was typical Guerrero – impeccable positioning, ideal anticipation and the precision to avoid a host of Chelsea bodies on the line and put Corinthians ahead.