Paraguay's first place at stake versus Argentina

Jonathan Roorda - 4 September 2008 23:59

Paraguay players in training

BUENOS AIRES (SW) - The ten South American nations are about to play their seventh and eighth matches in the World Cup Qualifying campaign, with a clash between the current top two teams awaiting on Saturday.

Paraguay are currently leaders in the qualification tournament, having earned thirteen points from their previous six games. The Argentinians were slightly less successful and collected eleven points so far.

Argentina and Paraguay last met at the Copa America last year, with Mascherano scoring the only goal of the match. The latest World Cup qualifying match in Argentina, with Paraguay as hosts, finished 0-0 in June 2004.

Argentina traditionally do well in World Cup qualification, something that can't be said of their Brazilian arch rivals, who tend to leave it until the final matches to secure their spot at the championships.

The Seleçao are currently placed fifth, and play an important game in and against fourth-placed Chile on Saturday. Whichever team wins there, will be a big step closer to surviving until the end.

Another very interesting clash will be the match between Colombia and Uruguay, the two countries that have been fighting for fifth place in the two latest editions of this tournament, with Uruguay the happier side at the end in both occasions.

As if Conmebol planned it in advance, the bottom four teams all face each other on Saturday. Venezuela finish last-placed Peru, while Ecuador host neighbors Bolivia.