MONTEVIDEO, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) — Argentina and Uruguay had to settle for goalless draws in their respective 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Colombia on Thursday.
In Asuncion, Argentina looked in control for most of the match but struggled to find a way past the hosts’ defense as Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi endured a frustrating night.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward’s best scoring chance came when he curled a first-half free-kick narrowly wide of the far post.
The hosts had goalkeeper Antony Silva to thank for denying Argentina a late winner as he launched himself sideways to keep out Nicolas Gonzalez’s dipping shot.
Carlos Gonzalez had a chance to steal an unlikely victory for Paraguay but sent his shot from 12 yards sailing over the bar.
Argentina remain unbeaten with five wins and four draws from their nine qualifiers so far while Paraguay have two wins, six draws and two defeats.
Meanwhile, Colombia secured a vital point away from home at Montevideo’s Gran Parque Central stadium. Uruguay dominated for much of the first half and were unlucky not to go ahead when Suarez was flagged for a marginal offside after finding the back of the net in the 22nd minute.
Suarez also sent a close-range attempt wide of the target when he had only goalkeeper David Ospina to beat.
Colombia’s best scoring opportunity came in the 70th minute when Luis Diaz’s cross left Duvan Zapata one on one with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera six yards out. But the Atalanta striker sent a timid attempt straight at the Galatasaray stopper.
Muslera then tipped Jefferson Lerma’s looping header over the bar after a Juan Cuadrado set piece.
Colombia now have 14 points from 10 qualifiers, two points behind Uruguay.
The top four teams in the South American group will earn an automatic berth at next year’s World Cup in Qatar while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.
