Messi in danger of missing 2018 World Cup

Five-time World Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi’s hopes of playing in the 2018 World Cup was left hanging in the balance yesterday after Argentina were held to a 0-0 draw in Buenos Aires by Peru.

The scoreline leaves the Argentina outside the automatic qualification places as they head into the final round of fixtures next Tuesday.

Messi hit the post in the second half but could only watch in frustration after serving up a stream of chances for team-mates who failed to convert.

The result left Argentina in sixth place in the standings.

The first four teams qualify automatically, with the fifth-placed team advancing to a playoff against New Zealand in November.

But with only two points separating third-placed Chile and seventh-placed Paraguay, the final standings could change dramatically depending on results on Tuesday.

However, a victory on Tuesday would guarantee Argentina at least fifth place in the standings, with Peru and Colombia guaranteed to drop points against each other in their final game.