CARACAS, 11 September 2003 — Argentina bounced back from Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 home draw against Chile to outclass Venezuela 3-0 in a one-sided World Cup qualifier on Tuesday and relieve the pressure on beleaguered coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Pablo Aimar set Argentina on their way when he started and finished a move in the seventh minute as Venezuela gave away a soft early goal for the second game running.
Two more goals in a seven-minute spell before halftime, from much-criticized forward Hernan Crespo and his striking partner Cesar Delgado, effectively ended the match as a contest.
The home team, who have never beaten Argentina, made a lively start but, as in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Ecuador, gave away a sloppy early goal. Delgado crossed from the right, Crespo’s first shot was saved by Gilberto Angelucci and Aimar knocked in the rebound.
Chile Defeat Peru in
Bad-Tempered Qualifier
Two headed goals gave injury and suspension-hit Chile a 2-1 win over neighbors Peru in a bad-tempered World Cup qualifier. Substitute Arturo Norambuena scored Chile’s winner in the 70th minute, three minutes after coming on. The goal was allowed to stand even though he appeared to climb on a defender.
Mauricio Pinilla had given Chile a first-half lead before Andres Mendoza equalized after the break with his second goal in successive qualifiers.
