A playoff is as good as being there given the potential opposition. The Argies were simulataneously very unlucky and very lucky tonight
Paraguay have done them a huge favour alright
all kinds of interesting permutations and combinations.
Chile could be out yet. If they lose against Brasil, and Paraguay win (very likely) and Argentina win (likely) and Peru v Colombia ends in a 1-1 or higher draw and the 4 teams below will leapfrog them
They havenât really, well they did them a favour by not losing, but going and actually winning was not a favour.
Paraguay have now shot back into contention for qualifying themselves and they have Venezuela at home in their final match.
Peru play Colombia who will be reeling after that.
Chile go to Brazil and Argentina really need Brazil to go and win that.
Argentina are outside the qualifying places now in 6th, but Paraguayâs win means Argentina beating Ecuador will guarantee them a play-off place at least. But the game is at altitude which makes it very difficult.
But that would have been the case anyway had Paraguay held on for the draw in Colombia. Had Paraguay only drawn, they couldnât have over taken Argentina.
If Argentina only draw against Ecuador, Paraguay will go ahead of them by beating Venezuela, and it would mean that a draw in either the Brazil-Chile or Peru-Colombia matches, or a one goal win for Peru, would put Argentina out.
Argentina are right on the edge now.
Uruguay have effectively qualified after those results.
jesus, argies have an awful record in Ecuador
10 Aug 1983 Ecuador v Argentina D 2-2 Copa America
13 Apr 1989 Ecuador v Argentina D 2-2 International Friendly
25 May 1994 Ecuador v Argentina W 1-0 International Friendly
02 Jun 1996 Ecuador v Argentina W 2-0 FIFA World Cup
11 Jun 1997 Ecuador v Argentina D 0-0 Copa America
14 Aug 2001 Ecuador v Argentina L 0-2 FIFA World Cup
04 Jun 2005 Ecuador v Argentina W 2-0 FIFA World Cup
10 Jun 2009 Ecuador v Argentina W 2-0 FIFA World Cup
11 Jun 2013 Ecuador v Argentina D 1-1 FIFA World Cup
15 Nov 2013 Ecuador v Argentina D 0-0 International Friendly
Argentina have scored just 16 goals in 17 matches, the second lowest total of the 10 teams, and only 2 in 5 matches in 2017. Only Bolivia on 14 have scored less in the competition.
Brazil have scored 38, Peru and Chile have scored 26, Ecuador who are now out have scored 25, even Venezuela have scored 18.
For a team that has Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Dybala and Di Maria at their disposal, that is shocking.
And it wasnât Messiâs fault tonight. He set up a litany of gilt edged chances that others couldnât take.
Wales 0-0 thus far .
Wales 1 -0 up .
Is that good or bad?
Doesnât really matter
Iceland are leading 2-0 in Turkey. That would be a stunning result and a huge step towards automatic qualification for the Icelanders.
Keep an eye on the other two matches in that group.
Croatia v Finland and Kosovo v Ukraine are both 0-0 at half-time. If Croatia especially could drop points it could open an unexpected play-off avenue for the Irish.
Ukraine v Croatia is the final fixture.
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Finland have equalised against Croatia after 89 minutes!
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And Finland have hung on for the draw!
A draw between Ukraine and Croatia would now open the door.
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Every chance of it too.
Am I correct in saying that Croatiaâs draw and Turkeyâs defeat are good results for Ireland in the 2nd place League?
Yes - the Permutations thread has just been updated.
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Huge game for the USMNT v Panama in Orlando has just kicked off.
Panama lie one point ahead of the US in the race for the third automatic qualifying position.
A defeat, or even a draw, would leave the US under real pressure to even get a play-off against Australia or Syria.
19 year old wonderkid Christian Pulisic puts the US ahead after 7 minutes with a brilliantly taken goal.
The very atmospheric Orlando City Stadium is rocking.
USAâs last game is against Trinidad, they should be ok. Do the 5th place South American team play New Zealand so?
Yes. But the South American team should beware, New Zealand will be battle hardened after beating the Solomon Islands in the Oceania final.