Argentina 0-0 Peru: With just one game remaining, Argentina sit outside even the playoff spot, grateful only for Paraguay’s comeback against Colombia, that their fate is still in their own hands

“Not going to the World Cup would be the biggest catastrophe in Argentina’s history,” an irate voice on Argentinian television barked in the aftermath of yet another evening of frustration and disappointment for La Albiceleste. Thursday’s goalless draw against Peru leaves Lionel Messi and his beleaguered band of brothers in need of a positive result in the drowning altitude of Quito on Tuesday; failure to do so would make the seemingly impossible, a reality.

Despite Argentina’s fumbling qualification campaign, the dropped points at home to Paraguay, Ecuador and Venezuela, the blunt attack that has produced fewer goals than all the South American nations barring Bolivia and the obvious lack of cohesion under a third manager, most had still held the belief that come what may, Messi would be in Russia.

Now after racking up more than 450 minutes without a competitive goal from open play and only a point from Thursday’s visit of Peru, belief has made way for hope and mathematics.

To read the rest of my thoughts from La Bombonera last night, click here and visit The Independent Sports page…