Uruguay 3 - Argentina 2

Photo by Miguel Rojo

Uruguay needed a huge margin of victory at home in Montevideo in order to qualify directly to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals., an unlikely task given that group winners Argentina were the visitors.  Five minutes into the match, a loose ball in the Argentine box fell to Cristian Rodriguez in space, so he settled the ball and then fired Uruguay into an early 1-0 lead.  Ten minutes later, a skillful chest trap from Augusto Fernandez inside the Uruguay area gave Maxi Rodriguez a shot on goal that he blasted into the net for the equalizer.  Some artful and disgraceful flopping by Luis Suarez inside the Argentina penalty area drew a penalty kick, and Uruguay undeservedly converted for a 2-1 lead.  Rodriguez scored his second equalizer of the night as halftime approached.  He received a pass and then cut inside of Jorge Fucile (pictured, left) before rolling the ball in at the far post.  The teams were tied at 2-2 going into the break.

Five minutes after the restart, Suarez latched onto a long through ball ahead of the defense.  Suarez drew the only defender back before playing a short pass to Edinson Cavani.  Cavani gathered the ball in stride, drove at the goal, and then unleashed a scorcher to put Uruguay ahead by one goal for the third time in the match.  Uruguay held on for the final forty minutes and win 3-2, but in spite of being level on points in fourth place with Ecuador after the completion of all fixtures, Ecuador had a better goal differential, meaning that Uruguay will be going to the intercontinental playoffs.  Ecuador officially qualify for Brasil 2014.  With the second leg at home, should Uruguay beat Jordan they will be the last of the thirty-two teams to qualify for Brasil 2014.

Goals
Uruguay
Cristian Rodriguez 5
Luis Suarez 34 PK
Edinson Cavani 50

Argentina
Maxi Rodriguez 15, 41

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/15/4842854/uruguay-argentina-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/97334/uruguay-vs-argentina/report?

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dcvHhzAjvs