Brazil Qualified for FIFA World Cup 2010 by Defeating Argentina

Brazil defeated arch rival Argentina 3-1 in an exciting world cup qualifying game on Saturday. With this victory, Brazil has ensured their place in the world cup 2010 with three matches left at hand. Argentina, however, has to do very well in the coming three games. Argentina is still in the fourth position 22 points from 15 games as fifth placed Ecuador lost to Columbia on the same day. Brazil has 30 points from 15 games.

Argentina started off very well in the game and dominated the visiting side in the first 20 minutes. Brazil opened scoring against the tide of the game in the 24^th minute when defender Luisao headed a long free-kick into goal. The goal came as a shock to the home team and their supporters. Their shock doubled just 6 minutes later when Luís Fabiano scored his 8^th goal in the qualifying competition. That means, Brazil took a 2-0 lead within 30 minutes, even though Argentina dominated the game throughout the first half. They had more chances in the match, but could not convert those into goal. Brazil also had some good chances towards the end of the first half.

Argentina started the second half in the same fashion. In fact, the home side was in more attacking mode in the second half. Argentina finally got a goal thanks to Datolo who defeated Brazilian goalkeeper by a long-range fiery shot. However, Brazil took only 2 minutes to make their lead again into 2 goals as Fabiano scored his second goal of the match. The striker received a pass from Kaka from the midfield and then slotted it over the Argentina goalkeeper into the post.

Both Brazil and Argentina had a number of chances later on, but neither side could capitalize on it. In the 72^nd minute, Brazil got a scoring chance, but failed to convert it successfully. Then just a minute later, Argentina missed perhaps one of the easiest chances of the game as the player failed to beat the Brazil goalkeeper in a one-to-one situation. Then in the 76^th minute, Dani Alves had an excellent free kick then went just wide off the target.

Overall, Argentina was clearly better side in the game, but the problem is that they lost a number of scoring chances throughout the game. Brazil, on the other hand, converted their chances and got the result in their favor.