Heinze Scores Horrible o.g. and Tevez Sent Off, But Aguero Rescues Argentina

One and two met in South American World Cup qualifying today, and Paraguay held on to top spot with a 1-1 draw at home. They went a goal up through this comical Gabriel Heinze own goal (above) after 13th minutes. First Heinze fails to clear, then he injures his own keeper (Roberto Abbondanzieri had to be replaced by Juan Pablo Carrizo) and then finally he scores the o.g., all in a few short second. Not Heinze’s best days work.

Paraguay were also a man up after 31 minutes when Carlos Tevez got his second red card of this qualifying campaign. But at least this card was for a bad foul, as opposed to just kicking an opponent as he did against Colombia in Novemeber, which I guess is progress. Sort of.

So it was looking bad for the albiceleste, until in the 60th minute the man that even Brazil’s president thinks is the best player in the world carved Paraguay open. Leo Messi played a quick one two with Riquelme and then rolled a perfect through ball between Paraguayan defenders for Kun Aguero to score.

Excellent result for Argentina, especially away from home with ten men and losing their keeper after thirteen minutes. And Paraguay will be pleased too, as they got a point away from home to stay top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table. Both teams are now one step closer to South Africa 2010.