World Cup Qualifiers

Austria vs France

France got thrashed 3-1 by Austria at the weekend's World Cup Qualifiers. France conceded two first half goals via set-pieces which they never recovered from. Both the goals scored by Austria in the first half looked almost identical - ball pumped into the penalty area from an indirect free-kick from the halfway line and somehow got deflected into the net. The France defense failed to deal with both the set pieces and conceded two soft goals. Sidney Govou pull one goal back for France in the 61st minute to make it 2-1 and stage a possible comeback. However, centre defender Mexes tackled Marc Janko rugby style in the penalty box which the referee spotted and gave a penalty to Austria. Ivanschitz duely converted the penalty to end any hopes of a comeback.

Mexes performed terribly in that match. Not only did he give away a penalty, he was also at fault for the first goal when he failed to mark Janko when the ball was floated into the penalty area. Mexes was hailed as a successor to Thuram, yet his performances looked amateur. Let's wait and see whether he will eventually live up to the billing of a great centre defender.


Cyprus vs Italy

World champions Italy needed a late goal to seal the win. The end score was 2-1 and Italy coach Marcello Lippi must thank striker Antonio Di Natale for scoring both goals to ensure his first competitive match in charge after returning ends in a win. The Italy coach blamed the intense heat for Italy's inability to score more goals for a comfortable victory. Italy will be playing at home the next game against Georgia, but they will be without injured Alessandro Gamberini, Fabio Grosso and Gattuso. If Italy failed to win convincingly at home, Marcello Lippi will not have the heat to blame anymore.


Argentina vs Paraguay

It is the 5th time in a row that Paraguay has hold Argentina to an away draw in a World Cup Qualifier. Paraguay had some help from two Argentina players to at least hold the South America powerhouse at their own turf. Gabriel Heinze put through his own goal after only 13 minutes, heading the ball past goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri. He also collided with Abbondanzieri, who was taken off injured and replaced by Juan Pablo Carrizo. With a goal down and first choice goalkeeper injured, the situation is already ideal for Paraguay to snatch points from Argentina. However, Carlos Tevez decided to hand Paraguay more advantage as he got himself sent off the second time in three international games after two violent tackles.

Argentina now have a mountain to climb. They looked incapable of finding the equalizing goal. However, Argentina have a player blessed with talent and an eye for the killer ball - Lionel Messi. He slipped a perfect through pass to teammate Sergio Aguero who placed the ball into the far corner for an equalizer. Argentina can count themselves fortunate to at least salvage a point.


Chile vs Brazil

A 3-0 win over Chile lifted some pressure off Brazil coach Dunga. Luis Fabiano notched two goals for Brazil, who had not scored in their previous three games and Man City's record signing Robinho was also no target. Ronaldinho continued his poor display (or pure lousy luck) when his spot kick was saved superbly by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

The match itself was physical and rough. Brazil and Chile each had a player sent off in the second half. The end results did not reflect Chile's quality as they created as many chances as Brazil but failed to finish over the moves like Brazil did.

Chile lost their last five matches against Brazil while conceding 21 goals in the process. History did not favour them and history was proven correct as Chile once again lost to Brazil, shipping another 3 goals.