Messi inspires Argentina’s win over Chile
18 Oct 2012 8:23 AM IST
Argentina opened up a three-point lead in South America’s World Cup qualifying group after goals from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain gave them a 2-1 victory over Chile on Tuesday.
Argentina weathered an early storm at the Estadio Nacional before Messi broke into the box, sidestepped a defender and beat goalkeeper Miguel Pinto in the 28th minute.
Three minutes later Higuain came into the box, rounded two defenders and curled a left-foot shot into Pinto’s far corner.
Felipe Gutierrez pulled a goal back for the home side in added time.
Argentina are three points ahead of second-placed Ecuador with 20 points from nine matches, with Messi and Higuain joint top scorers with Uruguay’s Luis Suarez on seven.
Argentina coach said ‘We faced a team who always create problems for whatever side team they come up against. In the first half chances were more.’
POLAND HOLD SHABBY THREE LIONS 1-1
An unconvincing England held on for a draw in their World Cup Group H qualifier against Poland in Warsaw.
The game had been rearranged after the previous day’s heavy rain and a scrappy England took the lead when Wayne Rooney headed in Steven Gerrard’s corner.
Poland’s response saw a Ludovic Obraniak strike palmed over, while Lukasz Piszczek shot just wide.
The home side’s pressure told when keeper Joe Hart missed punching out a corner and Kamil Glik headed home to earn a point.
Argentina weathered an early storm at the Estadio Nacional before Messi broke into the box, sidestepped a defender and beat goalkeeper Miguel Pinto in the 28th minute.
Three minutes later Higuain came into the box, rounded two defenders and curled a left-foot shot into Pinto’s far corner.
Felipe Gutierrez pulled a goal back for the home side in added time.
Argentina are three points ahead of second-placed Ecuador with 20 points from nine matches, with Messi and Higuain joint top scorers with Uruguay’s Luis Suarez on seven.
Argentina coach said ‘We faced a team who always create problems for whatever side team they come up against. In the first half chances were more.’
POLAND HOLD SHABBY THREE LIONS 1-1
An unconvincing England held on for a draw in their World Cup Group H qualifier against Poland in Warsaw.
The game had been rearranged after the previous day’s heavy rain and a scrappy England took the lead when Wayne Rooney headed in Steven Gerrard’s corner.
Poland’s response saw a Ludovic Obraniak strike palmed over, while Lukasz Piszczek shot just wide.
The home side’s pressure told when keeper Joe Hart missed punching out a corner and Kamil Glik headed home to earn a point.
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