World Cup Qualifying in South America always ends with Argentina and Brazil retaining a place somewhere in the top four, but it has never really been easy for them. The difference this time around is the struggles that these squads are having at home, especially Brazil. More than half way through qualification, Paraguay has six points on second place Brazil, with Argentina and Chile a point behind, tied for third.
CONMEBOL
Brazil 0-0 Colombia
Dunga is on thin ice as the Brazilian manager after a third consecutive 0-0 draw at home. You read correctly, it is now three straight games that Brazil has been held scoreless at home. Fans are calling for Dunga's head and they may be justified. The Brazilians ran out a team consisting of Kaka, Robinho, Jo, and a host of other world class talent and couldn't manage a goal or more than five shots against Colombia. True, Colombia has South America's most negative playing style, giving up just 8 goals in 10 games, but what was their excuse against Bolivia.
I'm sure I will expand on this thought in a future article, but could it be, with players like Pato, Jo, and Anderson going over to play in Europe at such a young age, that the squad is starting to lose some of the Brazilian flare that has defined their national side for so many decades? Are they becoming more Euro-style? Something to think about.
Chile 1-0 Argentina
Chile has now pulled even with Argentina in third place after defeating them 1-0 at home. Again, with Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero up front, how is it possible that Alfio Basile's squad only managed four shots? Argentina looked like the team to beat going in to Germany, but this time around they may be caught in between, a host of talent being too young, and their old talent losing a bit of steam.
Top Three
1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Paraguay
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