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Paraguay hold Argentina, stay top

Ecuador’s Neicer Reascos, right, is tackled by Bolivia’s Alejandro Gomez during their World Cup 2010 qualification match at the Atahualpa Stadium in Quito on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA

Paraguay’s 1-1 draw against 10-man Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday was enough to retain their lead at the top of the South American World Cup qualifying table.

Argentina, fresh from their exploits in Beijing where they beat Brazil on the way to gold, were confounded in their attempts to get victory and move to the top of the 10-nation group after the seventh round of the 18-match series.

Home fans in the Monumental Stadium were subjected to the worst possible start after just 12 minutes when a mix-up caused defender Gabriel Heinze to put the ball past keeper Robert Abbondanzieri and into his own net.

Abbondanzieri was injured and received five stitches in his knee and stand-in Juan Pablo Carrizo replaced him for the rest of the match.

Argentina’s Carlos Tevez, of Manchester United, was sent off on 30 minutes for his second yellow card to further make things difficult for the home side.

Sergio Aguero, who had replaced Angel Di Maria in the 45th minute, equalized for Argentina on the hour. Good work from Barcelona striker Lionel Messi to get past four Paraguay defenders, before releasing a long pass, set up Aguerot.

Paraguay now lead the group with 14 points from seven matches, two points ahead of Argentina on 12.

Argentina coach Alfio Basile said afterward: “Everything bad that could have happened did. We had the worst luck and the sending off of Tevez knocked us back. It was a strange match, but I was not happy with the draw because I believe we deserved to win.”

Also on Saturday, Ecuador beat 10-man Bolivia 3-1. Bolivia’s Jesus Gomez received a second yellow card after 18 minutes, reducing his side to 10 men. Ecuador scored through Felipe Caicedo three minutes later, but Bolivia leveled in the 41st minutes through Joaquin Botero. Edison Mendez put Ecuador back in front form the penalty spot in the 51st minute and Cristian Benitez made sure of the victory after 72 minutes.

In Bogota, Uruguay defeated hosts Colombia by a single goal from Sebastian Eguren after 15 minutes, while in Lima, Piero Alva Niezen scored the only goal after 39 minutes as Peru defeated Venezuela.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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