GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (Reuters) - Argentina need a win in Ecuador on Tuesday to guarantee at least a playoff place for the World Cup finals but coach Jorge Sampaoli says his side fully deserve to be in Russia next year despite their underwhelming qualifying campaign. Argentina, who reached the final three years ago in Brazil, lie in sixth place in the 10-team South American group, currently outside the qualifying places for Russia. "Argentina has shown the personality to demonstrate what it is, superior to the rest," Sampaoli said in Ecuador on Monday. Argentina, who have won the World Cup twice, have taken just three points in their last four games. Argentina have beaten Ecuador only once in a World Cup qualifier in Quito, where the high altitude makes life difficult for visiting teams.

Source: The Star October 10, 2017 02:26 UTC