Messi's Argentina may reach verge of World Cup spot at Peru's cost

Associated Press Rio de Janeiro: Lionel Messi's Argentina will be on the verge of confirming a 2026 World Cup spot if it beats Peru in Buenos Aires in South American qualifying. Victory would give defending champion Argentina 25 points from 12 matches, historically good enough for at least sixth place in the 10-team standings. South America has six entries into the World Cup. But Argentina will be without five injured players after losing to Paraguay 2-1 last Thursday when it hosts Peru, which is second to last. Meanwhile, Brazil and Uruguay will meet in Salvador, and both coaches expect to finish the year better than they started. Dorival Júnior, in charge of Brazil since January and still struggling to convince fans he's the right choice, could move to second place with a win.

Marcelo Bielsa, who was recently under fire by Uruguay great Luis Suárez, will seek to add at least one point to the team's tally to prove Friday's last minute 3-2 victory against Colombia was no fluke. Uruguay and Colombia are three points behind Argentina. Brazil is fourth. Ecuador is a point behind in fifth. Argentina's defence Argentina left behind defenders Lisandro Martínez and Germán Pezzella when it travelled to Paraguay. Another three were injured out of the home match against Peru: Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico. The trio started against Paraguay. Argentina left a poor image against Paraguay in Asuncion from its third loss in qualifying. Veteran Messi had a quiet performance, and strikers Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez were no better. Observers wondered whether the team's magic was running out.