Buenos Aires: AS Roma midfielder Erik Lamela has earned a first call-up to Argentina's World Cup qualifying squad with Lionel Messi also picked but in doubt with a hamstring problem. Lamela, named in coach Alejandro Sabella's squad on Thursday, could step in for Messi if he does not recover in time from his injury to face Colombia at home on June 7 and Ecuador away four days later.
The 21-year-old has one cap from a 2011 friendly playing for an Argentina team picked solely from the domestic league when he was still at River Plate. He was also in the full squad for a friendly in Switzerland 15 months ago but did not play. Midfielder Lucas Biglia was recalled to the squad after helping Anderlecht win the Belgian league title, with Velez Sarsfield's Fernando Gago out through injury.
Wigan Athletic striker Franco Di Santo was dropped from the squad that beat Venezuela and drew away to Bolivia, when he was a substitute, in March. Argentina could secure their berth at the 2014 finals in Brazil in these two clashes with the teams directly below them in the South American group. They lead the nine-nation group with 24 points from 12 matches. Ecuador are second with 20 points and Colombia third on 19, both with a game in hand.
The top four at the end of the group phase in October automatically qualify for the finals with the fifth-placed team qualifying for a playoff against an Asian side
08:51 AM, May 24, 2013
Uruguay forward Luis Suarez has escaped a sanction for allegedly punching an opponent during the World Cup qualifier against Chile, the country's football federation (AUF) said in a statement. Soccer's governing body FIFA opened an investigation after Argentine referee Nestor Pitana missed the incident which happened as Suarez tussled with Gonzalo Jara as they lined up for a corner during Chile's 2-0 win in Santiago. "The matter in question does...
03:40 PM, May 09, 2013
Lahore: Pakistan's cricket chief said on Thursday he had offered to host qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup despite a four-year suspension of international cricket in the country over security fears. Pakistan has not staged any top-level cricket since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players. Foreign teams have shunned tours to the troubled country over security fears,...
07:51 AM, Apr 19, 2013
England have been reported to world governing body FIFA after racist abuse was heard from visiting fans at last week's World Cup qualifier in San Marino. ...
09:27 AM, Mar 29, 2013
Suarez, who has scored eight goals in the qualifying campaign, picked up a second booking during the 2-0 loss to Chile. ...
09:09 AM, Mar 28, 2013
With Germany eager to challenge for the World Cup next year and in control of the group featuring Austria, Sweden and Ireland, the players saw no reason for alarm. ...
10:24 PM, Mar 27, 2013
France's narrow defeat by Spain exposed Les Bleus's desperate need for a striker with a killer instinct. ...
09:12 PM, Mar 27, 2013
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni was left to rue a profligate forward line as the Blue Samurai blew a chance to become the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil. ...
04:16 PM, Mar 27, 2013
Jordan stunned Japan 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier, denying the Asian power the chance to become the first team secure a berth in Brazil. ...
11:29 AM, Mar 27, 2013
Portugal failed to shine but claimed their first win in six games by beating 10-man Azerbaijan. ...
08:57 AM, Mar 27, 2013
Mario Balotelli scored twice as Italy overcame a shaky start to beat Malta 2-0. ...
08:45 AM, Mar 27, 2013
Spain bounced back from their mini-slump by beating France 1-0 to return to the top of their World Cup qualifying group. ...
08:04 AM, Mar 27, 2013
Messi said that his experience of playing at almost 4000m above sea level at La Paz was terrible. ...
12:58 PM, Mar 26, 2013
Spain will edge closer to an unexpected playoff place if they fail to beat France in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. ...
06:48 PM, Mar 25, 2013
Germany are playing down World Cup expectations and battling complacency ahead of their second back-to-back qualifier against Kazakhstan on Tuesday. ...
06:12 PM, Mar 25, 2013
Lebanon are at the bottom on four points, three behind Qatar, Iran and second placed South Korea. ...
04:07 PM, Mar 25, 2013
Keane, the all-time record scorer for Ireland with 54 goals, was hurt playing in the 0-0 draw at Sweden on Friday ...
07:50 AM, Mar 25, 2013
Alba injured his leg during Friday's 1-1 draw with Finland that left Spain two points behind leader France in the group standings. ...
10:19 AM, Mar 24, 2013
Clint Dempsey's 16th-minute score gave the US a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in a key qualifier. ...
10:03 AM, Mar 24, 2013
Spain and Portugal were held to draws on Friday night that hurt their chances of qualifying automatically for next year's World Cup, while England routed San Marino 8-0 for their biggest victory margin in 26 years. ...
02:03 PM, Mar 23, 2013
