Ecuador pile pressure on Argentina

Argentina had further pressure heaped on them prior to their crucial 2010 World Cup clash with Paraguay later on Wednesday when Ecuador moved above them in the table with a 3-1 win away over Bolivia.

Ecuador’s victory – which included a goal by Manchester United’s big summer signing Antonio Valencia – saw them move into the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot, as they bid for a third successive place at the World Cup finals, one point above Argentina.

The one good piece of news for Argentina – whose coach Diego Maradona is increasingly coming under pressure despite his legendary status as a player – was that Uruguay beat Colombia 3-1 in Montevideo.

Had Colombia won they too would have moved above Argentina, but were unable to gain their first away win of the series while Uruguay prevailed after a run of four matches without a win.

In a fiery encounter both sides had one player sent-off, Uruguay’s Carlos Valdes in the 30th minute when they were leading 1-0 but the visitors were also reduced to 10-men when striker Teofilio Gutierrez was red carded for deliberate handball at the start of the second-half.

Uruguay wrapped up victory in the 88th minute largely thanks to the persistence of Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan as he chased what seemed a lost cause when a shot was deflected and was heading out.

However, the veteran striker got to the ball and cut it back inside for Sebastian Eguren to rifle the ball home and rub salt into Colombia’s wounds as his goal was the winner against the same opponents earlier in the campaign in what remains the Uruguayans sole away victory.

Uruguay’s win sees them climb above Colombia into sixth, a point behind Argentina.