- Title: Messi, Argentina train ahead of critical World Cup qualifying match
- Date: 3rd September 2017
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (SEPTEMBER 3, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARGENTINA NATIONAL TEAM AT START OF TRAINING SESSION LIONEL MESSI DURING TRAINING PLAYERS DURING WARM UP PLAYERS IN MOCK SOCCER GAME DURING TRAINING VARIOUS OF PLAYERS KICKING AROUND BALL DURING TRAINING VARIOUS OF TEAM DURING TRAINING TEAM LEAVING FIELD AT END OF TRAINING
- Embargoed: 17th September 2017 23:27
- Keywords: training Argentina World Cup qualifier Venezuela South America Lionel Messi
- Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- City: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016X1KKZJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Trying to secure a ticket to Russia in 2018, Argentina, with Lionel Messi, trained on Sunday (September 3) ahead of a critical World Cup qualifier at home against Venezuela.
Argentina's start to the qualification season has seen the South American side take some hits. It is currently in fifth place in the South American qualifying table with only the top four teams guaranteed a spot in next year's World Cup.
Manager Jorge Sampaoli and Argentina should earn maximum points on Tuesday (September 5) as they take on last-placed Venezuela.
Brazil, the only one of the 10 CONMEBOL teams to have already qualified for Russia, leads the standings with 36 points but only five points separates second through eighth place.
Colombia narrowly holds the second spot with 25 points, Uruguay is in third place with 24, then Chile and Argentina with 23 but the Chileans hold the fourth spot on goal differential. Peru and Paraguay have 21 points apiece while Ecuador is one point behind at 20. Only Bolivia with 10 points and Venezuela with 7 points have been eliminated from qualifying with three more matches left to be played.
Should Argentina remain in fifth place they would take part in playoff against a rival from the Oceania confederation to determine one of the final berths in the 32 team World Cup tournament. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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