Argentina reach finals after Bolatti snatches late winner in Uruguay
Diego Maradona: winning the match that mattered most / Fotosports.com
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT / Sports Features Communications
MONTEVIDEO: Diego Maradona is heading back to the World Cup finals after a late substitute's goal from Mario Bolatti edged Argentina to a disciplined 1-0 triumph over old rivals Uruguay in their World Cup qualifying showdown in Montevideo.
In 1930 the Uruguayans had defeated their southern neighbours 4-2 in the first-ever World Cup Final at this same Estadio Centenario. Now it was Argentina's turn to celebrate while Uruguay faced up to the prospect of a play-off against the 'lucky losers' from Central/North America. Brazil, Chile and Paraguay are the other three certain World Cup finalists from South America.
The match began with Argentina manager Maradona under pressure whatever the result after having lost four games and sneaking up into fourth place in the table thanks only to Martin Palermo's last-minute winner against Peru last weekend.
The talents of Uruguay's Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez at one end and Argentina's Leo Messi and Gonzalo Higuain at the other proved unable to achieve the opening breakthrough in a dull first half.
Close-range header
Uruguay, as the second half progressed, began to push Argentina back. Central defender Diego Lugano went close with an acrobatic attempt to force home a close-range header. But Argentina survived to edge closer to automatic qualification.
As the clock ran down so Maradona, one of the greatest attacking footballers of all time, threw on two defensive substitutes to buttress the resistance.
Uruguay's Jose Martin Caceres contributed mightily to the Argentine cause with seven minutes remaining. His needless foul earned a second yellow card and thus a red to reduce the hosts to 10 men. Not only that, but from the free kick substitute Bolatti, winning only his third cap for Argentina, jabbed home the winning goal.
Well this is good news... Masch should cheer up a bit and get back to his ultimate best.
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