For the first time since CONMEBOL switched to the round-robin system for World Cup qualifying, Argentina is in danger of missing the World Cup.  The top four in the 10-team group qualify directly for South Africa and the fifth plays off over two legs against the fourth team from CONCACAF.  Currently Argentina sits in fourth place with four games to play which include Brazil (home), Paraguay (away), Peru (home) and Uruguay (away).

Argentina played a smart first half in which they created solid scoring opportunities, but after Carlos Tevez missed a penalty kick in the 28th minute of the first half Argentina never really recovered. Argentina tired in the second half and left-back Walter Ayovi hit a bomb while Pablo Palacios added another in the last 20 minutes to pull Ecuador within two points of Argentina.

This is the third straight lackluster result for Argentina and calls into question the coaching of Diego Maradona, who took over in November. In the last three games, Argentina lost 6-1 at Bolivia and defeated Colombia 1-0 on Saturday.

LUCAS

Image via ESPNDeportes