Struggling Argentina missed a huge chance to improve their chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup as they got held to a 1-1 draw at home by group minnows Venezuela. Rivals Chile had lost 1-0 in Bolivia a few hours earlier, so Lionel Messi and his team-mates had the opportunity to put three points between them and Chile and move into fourth place in the South American qualification group. Venezuela were and still are at the bottom of the group table with just one victory in 16 matches.
Argentina were unable to break the deadlock before half-time but things got even more dangerous for the home side on 51 minutes when Jhon Murillo put Venezuela ahead. Argentina got back level after just a few minutes through a Rolf Feltscher own goal but then were unable to find the winning goal. Moreover, Angel Di Maria had to leave the match during the first half due to a hamstring injury, while superstar Lionel Mess hardly had any impact on the game. The result is a prestigious one for a young Venezuela side but it doesn't change their situation in the qualification group.
Argentina are now fifth in the group with two matches left to play, if they remain in that spot they will have to go through a play-off tie in order to reach the 2018 World Cup. However, they might not even reach that play-off because Chile are just one point behind them in sixth place and Paraguay are just three points adrift in seventh spot. Argentina will play at home against fourth-placed Peru on October 5 and then travel to face Ecuador in the last match of the campaign on October 11.
Despite their recent troubles, Argentina are 9/1 at Bet365 to win the 2018 World Cup.
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