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Late Bolatti goal sends Argentina to World Cup

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-10-15 09:41

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona celebrates Mario Bolatti's goal against Uruguay in their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Montevideo October 14, 2009. Argentina won 1-0. [Agencies]

MONTEVIDEO: Mario Bolatti stabbed in a late goal to give Argentina a 1-0 win at Uruguay on Wednesday and send Diego Maradona's side to the World Cup finals.

Bolatti netted five minutes after coming on as a substitute to clinch Argentina the fourth automatic qualification spot from the South American region, joining already-qualified Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.

Uruguay now face a two-legged playoff against the fourth-placed team from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Related readings:  Argentina still not sure of direct qualification  Embattled Maradona vows to fight on  Paraguay look to profit from Maradona's doubts  Maradona wishes he was 20 years younger  Maradona puts '2nd-best' Pele in his place

The visitors had started the match in danger of missing out on the World Cup for the first time since 1970. A loss to Uruguay coupled with an Ecuador win in Chile would have produced that scenario.

However, Maradona was celebrating wildly on the touchline after Bolatti's goal guaranteed them a spot in the finals next year in South Africa.

The talisman of Argentine soccer wept and hugged members of his coaching team in an outpouring of emotion at the final whistle.

Having replaced Alfio Basile as coach midway through the qualification campaign, Maradona's credentials for the job had been widely questioned after his side lost to Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and at home to Brazil.

"I want to dedicate this to all the Argentines," he told Argentine television. "I thank the squad."