Argentina suffer another World Cup setback
BRAZIL became the first team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after defeating Paraguay 3-0 in the early hours of yesterday morning and are 15-2 second favourites to win the trophy they last lifted in 2002.
The Samba Stars got the job done with four games to spare but rivals Argentina are out of the automatic qualification slots after losing 2-0 away to Bolivia.
Six points separate second-placed Colombia from eighth-placed Paraguay in a congested section and fifth-placed Argentina’s task is complicated by the absence of suspended striker Lionel Messi for three of their last four games.
Despite the danger of Argentina missing out on the finals for the first time since 1970 they are 10-1 joint-third favourites to win the tournament.
Everton’s fortnight got worse with Argentina defender Ramiro Funes Mori sustaining a knee injury in the Bolivia defeat.
Funes Mori joins Toffees team-mates James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman in picking up injuries during the international break.
Spain defeated France 2-0 at the Stade de France on Wednesday with the help of a video referee, who disallowed a goal for the hosts and allowed the second Spanish goal to stand – overruling the original offside decision.
Video technology has long been called for in the Premier League but supporters may have to be patient.
Ladbrokes bet on when it will be first introduced and offer 4-1 next season and 3-1 that it won’t happen until after the summer of 2020.
Ladbrokes – In which season will the Premier League introduce video technology? 6-4 2018-19, 7-4 2019-20, 3 2020-21 or later, 4 next season.
