At Least 75% of the Marbles: Uruguay v Argentina Open Thread

October 14th, 2009 | by: chris |

On one side, the heroic magician the world longs to adore next summer; on that same side, the heroic magician of yore much of the world would love to see enjoying a summer’s day spa. Lionel and Diego, both in danger of missing out on South Africa 2010, and you can’t wish success upon one while wishing ill upon the other.

This is arguably the biggest game of World Cup 2010 qualifying. In fact, it is the biggest game. When Diego took over the albiceleste, no one expected a great deal; but perhaps only a Brazilian could’ve thought things would become this dire. One game left, qualification not guaranteed.

And while we focus on Argentina’s self-reliance, one thing is important to remember: Uruguay is 4-3-1 +11 at home. That “1″? Dunga’s Brazilian juggernaut, of course. Even a rampant Argentina would find Montevideo a tough fixture, making this game all the more appetizing.

The Scenarios

With a win, Argentina goes through. But if they fail to take maximum points, they rely upon the result of the Chile – Ecuador fixture:

Draw and Ecuador win: Argentina take the 5th spot and head to a playoff with CONCACAF’s 4th placed side.

Draw and Ecuador draw/loss: Argentina are through and Uruguay take 5th.

Uruguay win and Ecuador win: Argentina go home, Uruguay qualify automatically and Ecuador take 5th.

Uruguay win and Ecuador draw/loss: Uruguay take 4th, Argentina 5th, Ecuador take to the high hills.

Streams

MyP2P; atdhe.net.

Feel free to celebrate, mourn and all that lies in between in the comments.

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Shane

Please win Uruguay and Ecuador. Rarely do you get to see the kind of failure we will see if Diego, Messi and Argentina fail to qualify.
http://www.worldcupblog.org chris

It’s early and the Argentina back is already falling apart. This has 5-4 written all over it.
http://www.newells.theoffside.com Jeremy

A draw and a huge Ecuador win (by 6 or more) and Argentina gets the repechaje. They are looking mighty shaky right now.
http://www.worldcupblog.org chris

This ref doles out cards with an extraordinarily fierce amount of panache.

That’s all I’m saying.
alex

0-0 for all at halftime….argentina are soooo scared to make a mistake….ecuador doesnt really look good but there hanging in there
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Chile 1-0 Ecuadaor
http://scotland.worldcupblog.org Ian

Beat me to it, Daryl. Looks like Argentina’s man of the match might be Suazo.
http://guinea.worldcupblog.org shane

What bore this match has turned into.
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Bolatti! 1-0 Argentina. Turns out Maradona is a tactical genius?
http://www.worldcupblog.org chris

Argentina’s going to South Africa on the back of Humberto Suazo and Martin Caceres’ stupidity.

Whether Diego is going is another question entirely.
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

If Argentina wins and Ecuador loses, who is in 5th?
http://guinea.worldcupblog.org shane

Uruguay
http://scotland.worldcupblog.org Ian

Glad that Argentina is coming to the party. I do hope that they get rid of Maradona – a team with that much talent deserves better at the helm.
Leon

Wow, Argentina in by a, dare I say it, masterstroke from Maradona. I don’t support Argentina but am very happy to see a trditional powerhouse book their ticket to the greatest show on Earth. I wouldn’t read too much into the messy qualification the Argies went thru in order to get to South Africa. It’s better to be messy now rather than later. You guys will be as good as gold come WC2010.
http://chile.worldcupblog.org Brian

Argentina had better get their act together to make anything happen in South Africa. They are in serious jeopardy of making themselves look like more fools than they already have. I hope they train their butts off and start producing…
http://www.vacationrentalsad.com/florida-vacation-rentals-s10 edwin sanchezc

It is not Israel has done nothing to bring peace. They have had peace with Egypt and Jordan for years now.
http://www.soccerfanatic.com SoccerFanatic

argentina seemed to struggle just enough during qualification so that teams will underestimate their potential.