Argentina ride to success on Batigol

Argentina’s win also opened up the race for the remaining three South American places, as it kept Colombia in the pack of chasing teams below. Chile fought their way back into the qualifying race with a 3-1 win over Paraguay in an unsavoury Santiago battle which saw three players sent off.

Ecuador, who have never played at a World Cup, also stayed in contention, beating Peru 2-1 in Quito as coach Hernan Dario Gomez put one over on his former mentor Francisco Maturana, now coach of Peru.

Gomez was Maturana’s assistant when the two Colombians were in charge of their own country’s National team in the early 1990s. Seven years ago, Batistuta had been on the wrong end when Argentina suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at home to Colombia in another World Cup qualifier.

This time, he set his team on the way to three points with goals in the 24th and 45th minutes, both from chances created by Claudio Lopez. Batitusta went off midway through the second half and, within five minutes, his replacement Hernan Crespo scored Argentina’s third.

Frankie Oviedo briefly put Colombia on level terms in the 27th minute, when he rose to head in a free-kick by veteran Freddy Rincon, who also played on the famous night seven years ago.

But Colombia were ultimately outclassed and only some fine saves from goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba prevented Argentina from a rout of their own. Colombia were left on five points, two less than third-placed Uruguay, one less than both Paraguay and Ecuador and one more than Peru and Chile.

Chile had not won before Thursday but an own goal by Denis Caniza followed by one each from Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano, their much-vaunted strike force, gave them a comfortable win over Paraguay on a cold, wet night.

The conditions were ideal for sliding tackles and the players took advantage with some vicious efforts. Salas and Paraguay’s Delio Toledo were sent off for an ugly kicking match on the touchline while earlier Paraguay striker Hugo Brizuela appeared to be victim of theatricals by Chile’s Moises Villaroel as he was dismissed.

Brizuela allegedly elbowed Villaroel, but replays showed that barely any contact was made with the Chilean, who nevertheless collapsed in a heap in apparent agony. Replays also suggested that Villaroel dived when he won the penalty from which Chile scored their third goal.

Ecuador’s match with Peru was more gentle with clever Chala and Eduardo Hurtado putting the home side two goals ahead after 50 minutes. Peru, hampered by the effects of playing at 2,800 metres above sea level, made a game of it in the second half when Juan Pajuela pulled a goal back and substitute Ysrael Zuniga missed three good chances to equalise in the last 10 minutes. (Reuters)