Argentina (National Football)

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has defended Lionel Messi in light of his recent FIFA ban for abuse directed towards an assistant referee, calling the Barcelona star a "teddy bear" on Argentinian radio show La Oral Deportiva, per Javier de Paz for AS.

Messi was handed a four-match ban from international football for shouting offensive words at an official during Argentina's World Cup qualifying match against Chile on Mar. 24, a charge he believes is unfair, per AS, prompting the following response from Maradona:

Diego Maradona has an interesting defence for Lionel Messi 😂 pic.twitter.com/YZ60u72B17

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 30, 2017

He went on to say that he is "going to speak with [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino" and that the decision to ban him was "terrible," per Paz.

Messi was seen gesticulating towards the official after being penalised for fouling an opponent during his team's 1-0 win against Chile. The Argentinian received an £8,100 fine on top of his ban, which ensures he will miss crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru, as well as the match he's already missed against Bolivia.

The timing could not be worse. Despite beating Chile, Argentina are fifth in the South America World Cup qualifying table after losing 2-0 to Bolivia, holding on to a play-off spot by a mere two points. Failure to reach Russia in 2018 would be a disaster for Argentina, and Messi's suspension makes this a genuine possibility.

This partly explains why they are protesting the punishment. The national team secretary Jorge Miadosqui has confirmed they are "very angry" and are "going to appeal the FIFA sanction," per Tom Webber for Goal.

Messi has since said that "I said it to the air" and not directly at the official, per AS, prompting Maradona to weigh in on the story.

"[Messi] is a sensational person and doesn't do anything except train," he said, per Paz.

The former Argentina manager and World Cup winner conceded that Messi's words were unacceptable, but he thinks the punishment is too harsh for a player who rarely acts out.

"Four games is a lot," Maradona said. "However, the seriousness of Messi's words are also very strong, but I think it can be changed."

It is farcical to suggest that Maradona can influence FIFA's president in such a way, but nevertheless, his strong opinion adds to the growing dissent in Argentina, which has prompted some to predict that the ban will be reduced, including Fox Sport's Rob Stone:

Messi will appeal & his 4 game ban will be reduced, but lesson should be learned by all. Let the refs do their job and shut up.

— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) March 28, 2017

Regardless of the outcome, Argentina fans will be disappointed that Messi, now one of the senior players, could not control his temper during such a crucial game. With World Cup qualification dependent upon their No. 10, Argentina will be praying Maradona's comments can help get their teddy bear back on to the pitch.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi denied directing an insult toward a match official while playing for Argentina's national team against Chile last Thursday, which led to a four-match international ban.

On Wednesday, AS passed along comments Messi made to Argentinian outlet La Nacion about the situation and he echoed the country's Football Association's explanation of the incident to FIFA.

"My comments were never directed at the first assistant, they were comments made to the air," he said.

FIFA announced the suspension Tuesday, just hours before the Albiceleste played the Bolivia in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. The governing body confirmed the Disciplinary Committee found him guilty of “having directed insulting words at an assistant referee.”

Barca released a statement about the decision, though it won't impact his club availability:

FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile.

The Club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.

Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch.

ESPN FC translated comments Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, Messi's Blaugrana teammate and CONMEBOL counterpart, made to Sport 890 about the ruling.

"I find Messi's ban totally excessive," he said. "Now they will have to do the same with all the players that hurl insults."

Nevertheless, Messi was unavailable as Argentina suffered a 2-0 away loss to Bolivia at Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz on Tuesday night. His absence was immediately felt as the side failed to capitalize on chances in the attacking third, a trend that may continue during his ban.

The Albiceleste are now in danger of missing the World Cup. They currently sit in fifth place in the table, which would result in having to play in an inter-confederation playoff. Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay are all within four points of that final spot with four matches to play.

Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza has criticised the timing of the confirmation of Lionel Messi's four-game international ban, suggesting it was a "strange" decision to announce it on the day of their game against Bolivia.

Indeed, CONMEBOL confirmed Messi would sit out the match in La Paz less than six hours before kick-off after he used abusive language towards a match official during the team's 1-0 win over Chile last week, per BBC Sport. Bauza's side went on to lose 2-0 to Bolivia and the coach spoke of how distracting the saga was in the buildup.

"When the rumour began to settle, the concern began to take on more volume," he said, per PA Sport (h/t ESPN FC). "It seemed strange that in one day everything could be done, that we did not have time to make an appeal. We did not have time to work with someone else. Now the corresponding procedure for the appeal is being processed."

A difficult day for the Albiceleste was made even worse thanks to results elsewhere. Wins for Colombia and Chile pushed Argentina back down into fifth place in the CONMEBOL standings, which means a play-off would be needed to secure their spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Here is a look at how things stand, with the top four automatically progressing to the tournament finals:

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Brazil (Q)	14	10	3	1	35	10	+25	33
2	Colombia	14	7	3	4	18	15	+3	24
3	Uruguay	14	7	2	5	26	17	+9	23
4	Chile	14	7	2	5	24	19	+5	23
5	Argentina	14	6	4	4	15	14	+1	22
6	Ecuador	14	6	2	6	23	20	+3	20
7	Peru	14	5	3	6	22	23	−1	18
8	Paraguay	14	5	3	6	13	21	−8	18
9	Bolivia	14	3	1	10	12	32	−20	10
10	Venezuela	14	1	3	10	17	34	−17	6

Per Argentina football journalist Sam Kelly, Argentina will be taking nervous looks over their shoulder:

Paraguay making a decent fist of things so far. If they're improving Argentina really might be getting nervous in their 4 remaining games.

— Sam Kelly (@HEGS_com) March 29, 2017

Nevertheless, the distraction of losing a player like Messi on the day of the game cannot be helpful to the cause. Although some have been critical of the Barcelona man's displays in national-team colours, he's still a talisman for Argentina, and without him, their attack lacked fluidity.

The worry for Argentina is that they have three more matches to play without their star forward. Their next outing is a difficult one, too, as Bauza's side visit Uruguay, who sit in third place in the standings. Messi will also miss home matches against Venezuela and Peru.

Another worry for those tied to the Albiceleste is how dependent they are on Messi when there is so much talent in their setup. As Spanish football journalist David Cartlidge noted, there are deep-rooted problems for this illustrious football nation to overcome:

Put out all these with/without Messi stats etc, but Argentina’s terrible whether he’s there or not. Just win when he is present.

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) March 28, 2017

Indeed, among the squad for the game against Bolivia were talents such as Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala. But as of yet, Bauza has been unable to find a way of meshing the skills of all these world-class operators alongside Messi. Meshing them without the Barcelona man will be even more of a test.

If he doesn't do so in the three upcoming matches, Argentina face the very real prospect of missing out on the Russia showpiece in the summer of 2018. It'd be a shame if this football juggernaut and their star man Messi didn't grace that grand stage.

Lionel Messi has controversially been handed a four-game ban by FIFA after the world governing body found him guilty of using abusive language against an official when Argentina defeated Chile in World Cup qualification.

FIFA issued a statement on its official website confirming its decision after the incident. The snap decision is a huge disappointment for Argentina, forcing their talisman to miss the vital qualification trip to Bolivia on Tuesday.

The South American giants need to finish in the top four to progress to Russia 2018, and defeat in La Paz will open the door to the chasing pack in the table.

Journalist Rafael Hernandez said the shock ban is positive for Barcelona, providing their player with an unexpected rest:

Good for Barcelona, Messi will rest for two weeks and Argentina might be out of the 2018 World Cup next year. Two summers of rest 🎉

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) March 28, 2017

OptaJavier highlighted Argentina's reduced chances of winning without the icon:

69% - The win percentage of #Argentina in these WC Qualifiers decreases 69% without Lionel Messi. Banned. pic.twitter.com/DtEq4IY7H4

— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) March 28, 2017

Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World questioned the severity of the ban:

Lionel Messi gets four game ban for insulting a ref..

Neil Taylor likely to get one game less for shattering Seamus Coleman's leg. Explain?

— Kevin Palmer 💙 (@RealKevinPalmer) March 28, 2017

Oliver Kay of The Times felt the suspension was undeserved:

If Messi ban is start of zero-tolerance approach to dissent, across the game, then great. But it won't be. It's arbitrary, same as ever

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) March 28, 2017

Freelance sports journalist Alex Truica described FIFA's decision as "a joke":

Messi's ban is pretty much a joke. Ref doesn't card him nor mention the incident in the report and yet FIFA bans him for 4 games? laughable

— Alex Truica (@AlexTruica) March 28, 2017

However, CNN's Matias Grez felt the ban was justified:

Rules are rules. No special treatment just because he's Messi.

— Matias Grez (@matias_grez) March 28, 2017

Eurosport UK highlighted Argentina's recent record when Messi has not been present:

Lionel Messi banned for four matches 😱

Argentina at risk of missing first World Cup since Mexico 1970😰 pic.twitter.com/9kagxwxFa6

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) March 28, 2017

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl speculated why FIFA have punished Messi so severely:

Can't help but wonder if FIFA is still angry that Lionel Messi didn't show up for their award show this year.

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) March 28, 2017

Jonathan Wilson of The Blizzard had harsh words for the governing body:

Messi banned for four games. This is utterly ridiculous.

— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) March 28, 2017

Announcing a suspension 5 and a half hours before a game is absurd. You have to give teams a fair chance to prepare.

— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) March 28, 2017

I would like to apply for the job of Fifa's obscenity ombudsman, ranking all offensiveness (verbal or manual) on a scale of one game to life

— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) March 28, 2017

According to Mauricio Savarese of the Associated Press, Argentina have not won in Bolivia since 2005, and they were heavily defeated 6-1 in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

The visitors had expected their captain to feature in the game and will now have to initiate emergency measures.

Lionel Messi will miss four matches for Argentina, beginning with the team's FIFA World Cup qualifying match with Bolivia on Tuesday after he allegedly abused a match official during the team’s recent 1-0 win over Chile. FIFA announced the decision Tuesday.

As reported by Daniel Edwards of Goal, the Barcelona forward is said to have been unhappy with linesman Marcelo Van Gasse during the contest and reportedly aimed a volley of invective his way in the second period. The incident is said to have been notified to CONMEBOL on Monday, and Messi could subsequently be set for a ban.

The 29-year-old reportedly bellowed "f--k off, your mother’s c--t" at Van Gasse during the Albiceleste’s narrow triumph last week.

Aside from his tangle with the official, it was a good night for Messi and his team, as they secured a crucial three points in their pursuit of a place at the World Cup. 

Messi exorcised some personal demons too; having missed from the spot in last summer’s Copa America final against Chile in a shootout, he stepped up to score from 12 yards in this one.

Argentina may be without their talisman for a major part of what promises to be a crucial run-in for Edgardo Bauza and his team.

This is of huge concern to fans of the Argentina team, as their automatic place is far from secure in the CONMEBOL qualifying phase. They sit in third place in the standings behind Brazil and Uruguay, but only four points separate them and Paraguay, who are down in seventh.

For Argentina, Messi would be a huge loss. Although there have been some harsh critics of the Barcelona man’s displays for the national team down the years, in the main he’s been magnificent as of late in the blue and white jersey.

And despite a surfeit of attacking talent in the squad, without their talisman they’ve struggled to pick up results, as 101 Great Goals noted here:

Leo Messi: 🔥 🔥 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CsJsmoWnHe

— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) March 26, 2017

After their match against Bolivia, the next time they will take to the field will be against Uruguay in August in what is potentially a decisive showdown for both sides.

Argentina face a difficult trip to Bolivia in CONMEBOL qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, desperately needing a victory to solidify their top-four place in the standings.

The two-time world champions cannot afford any slips in the final matches, with Ecuador and Chile banging on the door of automatic qualification.

The contest will be in the altitude of La Paz, making the task an even more nervous encounter for Lionel Messi and his team-mates.

Here is how you can watch the qualifier:

Date: Tuesday, March 28

Time: 4 p.m. ET/9 p.m. BST

TV: BeIN Sports (U.S. only) 

Stream: BeIN Sports Connect

Preview

Argentina have struggled throughout Round 1 of South American qualification, and they have left the door open to a number of dangerous teams.

According to Mauricio Savarese of the Associated Press, Argentina have not prevailed in Bolivia since 2005, and they were thrashed 6-1 in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. 

While Brazil have found their equilibrium under new coach Tite, the Argentinians have fallen into a poor run of form.

They have won just six of their qualification games, drawing four and losing three on the way.

La Albiceleste defeated Chile in their previous match in a controversial 1-0 victory, but coach Edgardo Bauza will not care how the wins are accumulated at this stage.

Former international Diego Latorre wrote in La Nacion (h/t Tim Vickery of ESPN FC) the Argentina unit has many flaws:

The midfield is the heart of a side. It should not be empty. But that is what keeps happening with Bauza's team. Operating with three strikers requires that the ball is played well out of defence, with a circuit that in every action offers three passing options.

None of this is apparent in the current Argentina side. There is no capacity for association, no one playing the pass and getting in position to receive the return ball, and as a consequence the strikers are isolated and not participating.

According to Savarese, Bolivia rested their senior players in their last contest against Colombia, leaving them fresh and motivated to handle Argentina.

If this tactic bares fruit, the visitors could struggle as they fight for oxygen in testing conditions against a tricky host.

A World Cup without Messi seems unbelievable, but this version of Argentina doesn't match up to vintage editions.

Messi cannot do it on his own, and his country could be set for a huge failure if they do not strike first in La Paz.

Lionel Messi's goal in the 16th minute was the difference as Argentina beat Chile 1-0 Thursday in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the El Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

While five more matchdays remain after Thursday, both Argentina and Chile entered El Monumental looking for a positive result.

The host has largely been a mess behind the scenes, with the 2014 death of Argentina Football Association chief Julio Grondona exacerbating the internal turmoil. Those problems have spilled onto the pitch, in the form of Messi's brief retirement and the departure of former coach Gerardo Martino.

Argentina's qualifying campaign hasn't improved drastically under Martino's successor, Edgardo Bauza, either. La Albiceleste beat Colombia 3-0 last November, but that was preceded by draws to Venezuela and Peru and defeats to Paraguay and Brazil.

Through 12 matches in World Cup qualifying, Argentina was a point behind Chile for fifth place in the CONMEBOL table.

The reigning Copa America champion has had problems of their own on the road to the 2018 World Cup. Chile hasn't won consecutive qualifying matches since beating Peru 4-3 in October 2015.

Despite the array of world-class attackers on the pitch, the first half featured little in the way of entertainment. David Cartlidge of beIN Sports criticized the performance of both countries:

Argentina vs. Chile a horrible game as you have both teams relying on one player to produce everything. From initiating play to scoring.

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) March 24, 2017

Jose Fuenzalida appeared to give Chile a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute after he poked the ball into the Argentina goal following a goal-line scramble. The linesman, however, ruled the Chilean midfielder offside.

Fuenzalida then played an instrumental role in Argentina's scoring the first goal. The referee awarded Argentina a penalty after Fuenzalida fouled Angel Di Maria in the 18-yard box.

Messi stepped up to the penalty spot and sent Claudio Bravo the wrong way to put Argentina ahead in the 16th minute. The goal was somewhat poetic for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner after he missed a penalty in the Copa America Centenario final:

27/06/16: Messi misses penalty in Copa America final vs. Chile

24/03/17: No mistake this time ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/VagrwzHxc6

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 24, 2017

Messi's former Barcelona teammate Alexis Sanchez nearly delivered an equalizer in the 65th minute. His free kick from just outside the 18-yard box caromed off the crossbar.

Chile maintained possession and worked the ball out wide to Jean Beausejour. His low cross in from the left found Nicolas Castillo, who forced Sergio Romero to make a quick reaction save.

Chile had a penalty shot denied in the 74th minute when the referee determined Nicolas Otamendi fouled Alexis just outside the box. The Arsenal forward's free kick sailed well high of the crossbar.

Castillo should've leveled the score in the 79th minute but missed the target from close range with what was Chile's last chance to take anything from the match.

Instead, La Roja slipped to sixth in the qualifying table following Thursday's defeat. They play Venezuela, who sit in last place, in their next match, so coach Juan Antonio Pizzi will expect a strong response from his team.

As Vice Sports' Aaron Gordon argued, Argentina continue to underwhelm given the talent at its disposal:

There's such a huge chasm between how immensely talented Argentina's front four are and how poorly they work together.

— Aaron W. Gordon (@A_W_Gordon) March 23, 2017

Argentina climbed to third, which gives Bauza's side some security. A match away with Bolivia at altitude in La Paz won't be easy, though.

During 2014 World Cup qualifying, Argentina drew 1-1 with Bolivia. Messi vomited at halftime—such was his difficulty with the thin air.

A draw or defeat to Bolivia would erase the optimism Thursday's victory generated for the two-time world champions.  

Post-Match Reaction

"We suffered because we lost the ball but at least we won," Bauza said, per Reuters' Rex Gowar.

Bauza also dismissed the idea Argentina remains largely dependent on its best player, per Argentine football journalist Sam Kelly: "I don't think we're Messidependent. Lionel played well today. As much as we could, we [attacked] well."

According to Kelly, Pizzi thought Chile should've come away with at least a point from the match but things don't always break right on the pitch.

"Sometimes those decisions benefit you," Pizzi said of the officiating. "Sometimes they go against you."

Argentina and Chile will meet once again on Thursday in the latest round of CONMEBOL 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Albiceleste have battled their way into a play-off spot after a tricky start to the qualifying competition and sit just one point behind Chile and Ecuador.

The upcoming schedule looks straightforward for Argentina, but Thursday's match is as much about pride as it is about qualifying.

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming clash.

Date: Thursday, March 23

Time: 11:30 p.m. GMT/7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires

Live-stream Info: BeIN Sports Connect, fubo.tv (U.S.)

Preview

Argentina enter the match with some injury concerns, as Juventus star Paulo Dybala suffered a knock against Sampdoria. Per Football Italia, manager Edgardo Bauza has confirmed the young forward will target the match against Bolivia and not feature against Chile. 

Luckily for the Albiceleste, the team isn't exactly short on attacking options. Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria have all been called up, giving Bauza an embarrassment of riches.

Per Rex Gowar of Reuters, Bauza told reporters on Wednesday he'll start all four, with Aguero slotting in behind Higuain and Messi taking on a free role. 

Marcos Rojo will be in defence, returning to the team after he was dropped for the win over Colombia. Sevilla's Gabriel Mercado will replace Pablo Zabaleta, per Bauza.

Chile are unbeaten in their last three qualifiers and are mostly healthy heading into the next round of fixtures. Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez has been hobbling of late, but per La Tercera (h/t Sport Witness), he's been giving his all in training sessions and is expected to feature.

La Roja have an impressive amount of attacking talent themselves, but it's in midfield where the team really shines. Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal is arguably the best destroyer in CONMEBOL, and Charles Aranguiz remains an underrated contributor.

Defence can be an issue for Chile at times, though, and Claudio Bravo's spotty form entering the international break is a worry, especially given what's in store.

The Manchester City goalkeeper told MEGA (h/t Sport Witness' Lucas Esposito) he knows better than anyone when he's not playing well:

The first to know when I do not play well or when they score a goal that does not fit my level, the first one that knows is me. When looking for more terms, when the headline is that Bravo does not work, when we start with the poll that we have to change the goalkeeper, that we look for others… the truth is that things happen but I have been able to take advantage.

I took it as a rematch to show why I have spent so many years in the Chilean team and why I have been a leader in this national team, the most successful in a hundred years.

As shared by sports writer Artur Petrosyan, the numbers speak for themselves:

Mignolet has saved only 57% of shots he's faced. Of all GKs with 10+ games played only Claudio Bravo has a worse rate (56%). Karius 63%.

— Artur Petrosyan (@arturpetrosyan) March 20, 2017

Bravo needs some positive momentum, as the likes of Higuain, Messi and City team-mate Aguero only need half a chance to score a goal.

Chile's defence has bags of experience but won't be able to keep out their rivals for 90 minutes―the City man will have to be at his best if La Roja want to steal the points in Buenos Aires.

Chilean football legend Ivan Zamorano believes Argentina star Lionel Messi would have "monuments all over the country" if the Barcelona man was his compatriot. 

Although Messi is adored by those in Catalonia for the joy and success he has brought to the Camp Nou down the years, he's not universally appreciated in Argentina, having failed to steer the team to a major honour. Zamorano, speaking to Super Deportivo (h/t Sacha Pisani of Goal), feels the forward should be cherished by his country:

If Messi were Chilean, he would have monuments all over the country and he would be tired of getting tributes. In Chile he is valued.

Argentinians take into account the differences between Barcelona's Messi and the national team's Messi. In Spain he looks to one side and he has Neymar, looks to the other and he has [Luis] Suarez, looks back and has [Andres] Iniesta and [Sergio] Busquets.

That's why, you must look the whole picture. I think the best in the world is valued. We must value the effort Messi makes, because he plays between 70 and 80 games per year and, despite that, he comes to play for the national team.

While the trophies have continued to flow with Barcelona, on the international stage Messi and Argentina have endured a string of heartbreaks.

Indeed, for the last three summers the team has fallen to defeat in major finals. In 2014, they lost out to Germany in the FIFA World Cup final, while in 2015 and 2016, they were defeated in back-to-back Copa America finals by Chile in a penalty shootout.

Heartbroken after the loss in the summer, Messi announced he was to retire from the international game, although he has since reversed his decision.

Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez believes Argentina haven't been let down by the Barcelona man in that time but by other illustrious names:

Di Maria, Agüero, Higuaín, good were the days of “Messi has a world class squad at Argentina”, penny finally dropped for most people.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) March 15, 2017

While Messi missed a penalty in last summer's shootout, he was sensational in helping Argentina secure their spot in the final. In 2015, it was a similar story, while at the 2014 World Cup, the Albiceleste No. 10 was named as the Player of the Tournament.

Nevertheless, he has still been criticised by some Argentina supporters who hold him to the highest possible standards. Ole's Marcelo Sottile told Jeff Himmelman of the New York Times that there is "less room for forgiveness" for Messi in Argentina given he left his homeland at 13 to join up with the Barcelona academy.

It's a decision that worked out rather well for Messi, though, who has won 28 honours with the Blaugrana and been crowned as the best player on the planet five times. As noted by OptaJose, his consistency in front of goal is ludicrous:

40 - Lionel Messi is the only La Liga player to reach 40 goals in each of the last eight seasons in all competitions. Extra-terrestrial. pic.twitter.com/rp8nmC83XV

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 19, 2017

Having come so close on so many occasions with Argentina, there's a sense that Messi may never get that crowning moment on the international stage. The Albiceleste have struggled to devise a setup that not only brings the best out of their star man but the rest of the excellent attacking players that Edgardo Bauza has to call upon.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will likely be the next opportunity for Messi to seize glory in his country's colours. Argentina will need to get a move in on qualifying, though, with the team down in fifth position in the CONMEBOL standings; they will take on Chile in a repeat of the summer's Copa America final on Thursday.