In the early hours of Friday morning, Argentina host Bolivia at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, in what could be a vital game in the South American section of World Cup qualifying.
Argentina are second place in the standings, six points behind arch-rivals Brazil, who lead the standings. The two South American superpowers met on Sunday night in Sao Paulo.
#SelecciónMayor ¡Actividad vespertina bajo la lluvia! Ultimando detalles para el partido del jueves ante @FBF_BO 🇧🇴.#VamosArgentina 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/rSQUdrs3AP— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) September 7, 2021
#SelecciónMayor ¡Actividad vespertina bajo la lluvia! Ultimando detalles para el partido del jueves ante @FBF_BO 🇧🇴.#VamosArgentina 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/rSQUdrs3AP
The game was abandoned after just five minutes following local authorities’ intervention due to a group of Premier League players, including Emi Buendia, Cristian Romero and Emiliano Martinez, having reportedly lied about having spent time in England.
It remains to be seen how the game will be decided, with some reports suggesting that Brazil could be awarded the win.
Even if Brazil are awarded the three points, Argentina will still be in a strong position to qualify for World Cup 2022. Lionel Scaloni’s team are unbeaten in their first seven qualifiers.
They are also seven points clear of the team in sixth-place Paraguay in the standings.
Not only are Argentina unbeaten in the seven qualifiers for the latest edition of the World Cup, but they are now 11 games unbeaten in qualifying. Their last defeat in qualifying ironically came at the hands of Friday’s opponents back in 2017.
Bolivia have an uphill struggle to qualify for next years World Cup. The visitors are ninth-place in the standings, four points adrift of Colombia who occupy the World Cup play-off spot.
Cesar Farias’ team has been in poor form of late too, having failed to win any of their last seven international matches, while also losing five of their last six games. Bolivia have also won just one of their last ten World Cup qualifiers.
Unsurprisingly, Forebet predicts that Argentina will record a victory in a low-scoring encounter in Buenos Aires.