Argentina slumped to a 2-0 defeat

Ecuador close gap on leaders

(Reuters) Thursday 11 June 2009

Carlos Tevez missed a first-half penalty as Argentina slumped to a 2-0 defeat away to Ecuador in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifier on Wednesday. Left-back Walter Ayovi, with a superb 25-metre strike, and Pablo Palacios scored in to hand Argentina their second defeat in four FIFA World Cup qualifiers under Diego Maradona.

The hosts also had to make do without Carlos Tenorio from the 13th minute, when he was replaced with Jefferson Montero due to a back injury, a change Argentina tried to take advantage of.

Lionel Messi squandered a superb early chance for Argentina, who at least improved on their 6-1 defeat to Bolivia in another high altitude match in April. Despite the result at 2,800 metres above sea level, Argentina remained in the top four of the ten-team South American group with 22 points from 14 games, while Ecuador jumped to fifth place on 20 points. The top four in the ten-team group qualify directly for South Africa and the fifth plays off over two legs against the fourth team from CONCACAF.

"They didn't do anything in the first half," Maradona said. "In the second half, they got a couple of rebounds and they scored two goals.

"If we had scored a goal, it would have finished the game off."

Ecuador coach Sixto Vizuete said: "These three points are worth their weight in gold and we're satisfied because we beat great opponents."

Missed opportunities
Messi wasted an outstanding chance after ten minutes when he side-footed Gabriel Heinze's low cross wide of the goal from six metres. Argentina had an even better chance when Tevez was upended by Ecuador goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga just inside the penalty area and referee Carlos Chandia pointed to the spot.

Argentina-born Elizaga saved Tevez's weak penalty by diving low to his left in the 28th minute. Messi, who fired over from the rebound, then created another chance with a solo run, but shot into the side-netting.

These three points are worth their weight in gold and we're satisfied because we beat great opponents.

Ecuador coach Sixto Vizuete

Ecuador's best first-half efforts were long-range shots from Jefferson Montero and Antonio Valencia. Ecuador took control after halftime and continued to try their luck from long-range as Ayovi tested Mariano Andujar with a dipping free kick and Segundo Castillo forced him to turn a powerful drive around the post.

The hosts broke through when Argentina lost possession and Palacios laid the ball into the path of Ayovi who scored in the 72nd minute with a rising shot from 25 metres. Substitute Palacios fired home the second from inside the penalty area with seven minutes left before Valencia hit the post with another long-range effort in injury-time.

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Brazil see off Paraguay to retain lead

Striker Nilmar capitalised on a piece of good fortune to earn Brazil a 2-1 home win over Paraguay on Wednesday that keeps them top of the South American 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying table.

Nilmar, who had a quiet first half, chested a Felipe Melo pass towards Kaka only for the ball to come back to him off the unfortunate Julio Cesar Caceres and the striker managed to scramble it home.

Paraguay, also among the top four in the group, went ahead midway through the first half when Salvador Cabanas's free-kick from outside the box took a deflection off Elano and looped over Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Robinho then volleyed an exquisite equaliser four minutes before half-time from Daniel Alves's cross from the right.

Brazil now have 27 points with four matches to go in the ten-team single South American group. Paraguay are third with 24 points, two behind second placed Chile, with Argentina fourth. The top four qualify automatically for next year's finals in South Africa.

Busy goalkeepers
Brazil squandered several chances towards the end of an exciting second half, played in a torrential downpour in front of a crowd of 66,000 in the tropical city of Recife. Paraguay had less possession but posed more threat in the first half with midfielder Carlos Bonet shooting just over and busy striker Osvaldo Martinez going close from a tight angle on the right before Cabanas opened the scoring.

His goal was only the second conceded by Brazil at home in the qualifiers and Julio Cesar had to be alert to prevent Cabanas from scoring again in the 70th minute. Paraguay keeper Justo Villar made a diving save from Robinho close to the hour and the striker also shot over near the end after a good cross from Kaka.

Real Madrid-bound Kaka was guilty of a miss himself when he put the ball wide from a metre out following a low cross by marauding central defender Lucio. Brazil visit arch-rivals Argentina in their next match, with the home side clinging desperately to an automatic qualifying berth after a 2-0 loss away to Ecuador.