Finishes 1-1 in Malaysia... Syria just dont know when to bugger off, they were out of World Cup Qualifying at the end of the last round when they were losing 2-1 to Iran yet got an injury time equaliser to get through to this Play-Off
I know I did earlier but they really shouldnt be written off
So, whats the story now then?...especially with Scotlands chances.
Need to beat Slovenia away on Sunday. Slovenia have nothing to play for and have three players suspended but Scotland have a knack of stealing disaster from the jaws of victory.
Incredible night in south america means that 2 points now separate 3rd to 7th and anyone can qualify.
Paraguay score twice in injury time to win 2-1 away in Colombia. Sanchez scores a late winner as Chile beat Ecuador. And Argentina blow it by drawing 0-0 at home to Peru. Remarkably for a side with their attacking players they've only scored 16 goals in 17 qualifiers.
3rd and 4th qualify. 5th has a play off v New Zealand.
Last game fixtures.
Paraguay v Venezuela. Brazil v Chile Peru v Colombia Ecuador v Argentina
Paraguay should beat rock bottom Venezuela. Chile will do well to get anything in Brazil. Peru v Colombia could go either way. Argentina have a tough ask away at altitude in Quito, where they've not won for 16 years.
If Paraguay win as expected and Peru v Colombia is a draw, Argentina will be out if they fail to win.
Argentina manager Sampaoli is getting absolutely crucified. Left Higuain and Pastore out of the squad completely and in a must win home game where they were struggling to score, he somehow left both Dybala and Icardi on the bench for the entire game.
Argentina manager Sampaoli is getting absolutely crucified. Left Higuain and Pastore out of the squad completely and in a must win home game where they were struggling to score, he somehow left both Dybala and Icardi on the bench for the entire game.
Crazy that Sampaoli is struggling with that Argentina side... His Chile and Sevilla squads were beasts!!
Although looking at their Squad they seem to have the same issues as England - Lots of power going forward but they've got a seriously aging Defence and Goalkeeper
Not winning a big international tournament is the one glaring omission in Messi's CV, when you compare him with the other greats. To not even qualify next year is unthinkable!
Indeed he's never even won a Copa America, which is shocking
Iceland in a group with Ukraine, Turkey and Croatia. Incredible to be top with just over a game to go. Punching above their weight again. Fantastic from that group of players
Serbia also drop points but it doesn't really help Wales or Ireland too much as they play each other in their last game on Monday. A draw sends Wales through to at least a play off but a win for either side could mean they go through automatically if Serbia slip up against Georgia.
Spain have Qualifed for the World Cup this evening themselves
Italy dropped points and only managed a draw with Macedonia forcing them via. the Play Offs... Who are no doubt a much better team than any of England's opponents in our Group
Portugal basically have a playoff with Switzerland next week. Both expected to win today (vs Hungary & Andorra). They play each other next week and a Portugal win would see them qualify on goal difference, while a point for Switzerland would have them top the group. So both teams have a playoff then 1 will get another chance in November
Just realised that if Syria get past Australia (which is unlikely) they don't qualify, they then have another play off v a CONCACAF team (likely to be Panama or Honduras)
I read the other day that in the entire history of World Cup Qualifiers, no team has ever lost their first 2 games (its happened 365 times up to last week) and gone on to qualify for that World Cup.
Bolivia, Peru & Venezuela will all be hoping to be the first.
I read the other day that in the entire history of World Cup Qualifiers, no team has ever lost their first 2 games (its happened 365 times up to last week) and gone on to qualify for that World Cup.
Bolivia, Peru & Venezuela will all be hoping to be the first.
Peru on the brink of being the first to do it
Read the other day that they've had a quite brilliant turnaround in qualifying as apparently were out of it a little while ago
Nolberto Solano is definitely one of those players who its a shame we didnt get to see at the World Cup, always liked him at Newcastle
Comments
I know I did earlier but they really shouldnt be written off
Paraguay score twice in injury time to win 2-1 away in Colombia.
Sanchez scores a late winner as Chile beat Ecuador.
And Argentina blow it by drawing 0-0 at home to Peru. Remarkably for a side with their attacking players they've only scored 16 goals in 17 qualifiers.
Standings:
3. Chile 26 points +2 GD
4. Colombia 26 points +2 GD
5. Peru 25 points +1 GD
6. Argentina 25 points +1 GD
7. Paraguay 24 points -5 GD
3rd and 4th qualify. 5th has a play off v New Zealand.
Last game fixtures.
Paraguay v Venezuela.
Brazil v Chile
Peru v Colombia
Ecuador v Argentina
Paraguay should beat rock bottom Venezuela.
Chile will do well to get anything in Brazil.
Peru v Colombia could go either way.
Argentina have a tough ask away at altitude in Quito, where they've not won for 16 years.
If Paraguay win as expected and Peru v Colombia is a draw, Argentina will be out if they fail to win.
Oh blimey, hang on, just read the table that Chris posted!!
Although looking at their Squad they seem to have the same issues as England - Lots of power going forward but they've got a seriously aging Defence and Goalkeeper
Indeed he's never even won a Copa America, which is shocking
Incredible to be top with just over a game to go.
Punching above their weight again. Fantastic from that group of players
It would be incredible if Syria did.
Iceland are two points clear with just one game left to play at home to Kosovo. They've all but qualified for their first World Cup.
Italy dropped points and only managed a draw with Macedonia forcing them via. the Play Offs... Who are no doubt a much better team than any of England's opponents in our Group
USA 3-0 up on Panama. Just the kind of result they need.
Both expected to win today (vs Hungary & Andorra).
They play each other next week and a Portugal win would see them qualify on goal difference, while a point for Switzerland would have them top the group.
So both teams have a playoff then 1 will get another chance in November
A real possibility they could face each other.
Funnily should either Wales or Ireland win they can still top the Group should Serbia lose to Georgia
Slovenia v Scotland, Wales v Ireland, Australia v Syria and plus all which is happening in South America qualifying.
Nolberto Solano is definitely one of those players who its a shame we didnt get to see at the World Cup, always liked him at Newcastle