Decision day for Argentina

Live blogging the World Cup qualifiers

Uruguay v Argentina is the big one, kicking off at 2200 GMT, but before that we have a few unresovled issues in Europe.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 5:58:22 PM
No one seriously expects Portugal to come unstuck against Malta, but you never know, I suppose. Could Cristiano Ronaldo yet miss out?
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 5:59:03 PM
Joy for Ukraine... A 6-0 demolition of Andorra means they have nailed down second place in England's group and a place in the play-offs.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:10:36 PM
Germany were very lucky to get a 1-1 draw at home to Finland, with a scuffed shot from Lukas Podolski earning them a point at the death. Very soft goal, that.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:27:40 PM
This jsut come in from our man in Athens ... Greece 1-0 up against Luxembourg. Greece still in with a chance, of course
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:32:38 PM
And Graham in Athens has just come on again ... 2-0, Gekas, 32nd minute. Remember, if Greece win and Switzerland lose, Greece could yet pip them to top spot in Group Two
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:36:23 PM
Slovakia have gone 1-0 up away to Poland in a crucial match in Group Three. A win will send Slovakia through to the finals for the first time as an independent nation.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:41:24 PM
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:45:44 PM
Get Jogi Loew a tissue, someone...
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:46:10 PM
Why is the Spain game live on Liverpool's official website, by the way?
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:47:30 PM
(Spain are 2-0 up against Bosnia, by the way ... on their way to making it 10 out of 10 in qualifying.)
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:48:05 PM
Not much at stake, of course, but still, quite fun to see that Cyprus are 1-0 up against Italy.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 6:53:18 PM
So, at the moment it's looking good for Slovakia, Switzerland and Ukraine. We waiting for news from Portugal... and alter from uruguay v Argentina ... the big one.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:00:36 PM
And Nani has scored for Portugal in the 13th minute of their match against Malta. That's the breakthrough they needed. Little doubt now that they'llg et that 2nd place in the group.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:03:28 PM
Peter Crouch 1-0 for England against Belarus. He always makes the msot of these run-outs against the, ahem, weaker teams.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:04:08 PM
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:04:30 PM
For those warming up for The Big One tonight... This is Diego arriving at the ground. Can't wait...
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:04:58 PM
Some doubt about whether Crouch`s goal was in fact an own goal. Fifa giving it to Crouch, though
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:06:30 PM
Stick around for more pictures of the great and the good, and will shortly give you a taste of the atmosphere in Montevideo from our man on the spot, Rex Gowar
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:09:24 PM
We hear it's 2-0 Cyprus now, while Spain are 3-0 up in Bosnia... Alvaro Negredo, on debut, I think
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:11:47 PM
France 1-0 up against Austria now. Karim Benzema in the 17th minute. France already assured of the runners-up spot in Group Seven, of course
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:21:06 PM
Hungary just taken the lead away to Denmark. Akos Buzsaky in the 35th minute. If Portugal were to lose, Hungary could conceivably pip them to second palce ... Not gonna happen, though, elt's face it
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:26:00 PM
Slovenia making hard work of San Marino ... still 1-0 at half-time
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:26:16 PM
This from our man at Wembley, Martyn herman: "Biggest cheer so far is Beckham warming up."
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:30:24 PM
Martyn continues: Belarus passing and touch is better than England's...
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:32:22 PM
2-0 to Portugal and surely they home and hosed now (or at least in the play-offs...) The man who got the second was Simao Sabrosa ... Simon Tasty himself.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:34:31 PM
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:36:24 PM
Here's Nani celebrating Portugal's first... cracking photo.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:36:42 PM
Here's Rex Gowar explaining the enormity of tonight;s match between Argentina and Uruguay in Montevideo... MONTEVIDEO, Oct 14 (Reuters) - There has not been as big a
clash between Argentina and Uruguay, one of the world's oldest
soccer rivalries, as Wednesday's since the 1986 World Cup.

Diego Maradona is the man who bridges the gap. Having led
his team to a 1-0 victory in Puebla on their way to lifting the
trophy in Mexico City, he is now at the helm for Argentina.

The two teams could both progress to next year's finals in
South Africa or also have their fates decided by the result of
Chile's match against Ecuador the other side of the Andes.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:39:41 PM
And more from Martyn at Wembley, where things are getting a little dull ... "Mexicans waves break out......nuff said..."
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:40:56 PM
Italy back to 2-2 now... Gilardino has bagged two in three minutes and they should avoid embarrassment against Cyprus now
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:42:58 PM
Switzerland are through! They have drawn 0-0 against 10-man Israel to get the point they needed in Group Two.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:49:39 PM
That's one of the few outstanding situations of the night resolved. We concentrating on Portugal now, to see if they duly take a play-off place
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:51:46 PM
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:52:49 PM
Here's Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. He should be looking a bit happier, shouldn't he? I guess he will be later...
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:53:22 PM
Remember, we are waiting for Uruguay v Argentina tonight, starting at 2200 GMT (in about two hours). In the mean time we're keeping abreast with the European qualifying results.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:55:12 PM
Malouda looking very sharp with France
by Julien P at 10/14/2009 7:55:14 PM
Thanks, Julien. Benzema found the net, i see. No need for Trezeguet to return???
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:55:53 PM
Greece have beaten Luxembourg 2-1 so they ahve clinched a palce in the play-offs.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:56:32 PM
And remember how dangerous Greece can be if they get to the finals (just think Euro 2004...)
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:56:58 PM
3-0 to Portugal and they virtually assured of their place in the play-offs now ... with Miguel Veloso getting the third seven minutes into the second half. So Cristiano Ronaldo fans, you can breathe easily for now
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 7:58:20 PM
And, what do you know ... Gilardino compeltes his ha-trick and Italy end up beating Cyprus in that game. Nothing at stake, but poor old Cyprus, who were 2-0 up at one stage.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 8:01:01 PM
If you ask me, there is still a need for Trezeguet to score that dirty goal that could see us through.
by Julien P at 10/14/2009 8:01:05 PM
Hi Julien. He;s the "miracle maker" like Martin Palermo?
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 8:01:28 PM
Ireland maintained their unbeaten record in this qualifying campaigning by signing off with a 0-0 draw at home to Montenegro. Ireland are preparing for the qualifiers, remember, after finishing runners-up to Italy.
by ReutersSport at 10/14/2009 8:02:28 PM