Montevideo Sep 1 (IANS) Argentina remained outside the automatic qualification places for next year s FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw with Uruguay while Paraguay defeated Chile 3-0.
Agrentina s Lionel Messi Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi on Thursday created plenty of chances but were unable to find a way past a disciplined Uruguay defence at Estadio Centenario reports Xinhua news agency.
Luis Suarez who started the match despite battling a knee injury limped off the pitch in the 83rd minute and appears doubtful for Uruguay s next qualifier against Paraguay on Tuesday.
The result left Argentina fifth in the CONMEBOL South American zone standings with 23 points a point behind third-placed Uruguay with three matches remaining.
The top four teams at the end of the qualifying tournament will earn a direct berth at next year s World Cup in Russia while the fifth-ranked side will book an intercontinental playoff spot.
Earlier on Thursday Paraguay kept their slim qualification hopes alive with a shock 3-0 defeat of reigning Copa America champions Chile in Santiago.
Victor Caceres and Richard Ortiz scored in the second half after a 24th-minute own goal from Arturo Vidal.
Meanwhile Colombia and Venezuela played out a goalless draw in the Venezuelan city of San Cristobal.
--IANS
gau/vt
