Argentina Survives, Advances to 2010 World Cup

For one day, at least, Diego Maradona can silence his critics and get the last laugh.

Lampooned, mocked and second-guessed throughout Argentina's nearly disastrous 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, Maradona can let out a massive sigh of relief after Wednesday's 1-0 win against Uruguay in Montevideo, Uruguay. Argentina gains the fourth and final automatic CONMEBOL qualifying spot, while Uruguay moves into the playoff against either Costa Rica or Honduras.

Wednesday, there wasn't the dramatic slide across the field like there was after Saturday night's last-second win against Peru.

Instead it was a pretty standard celebration following Mario Bolatti's 84th minute goal that was set up on a foul that resulted in the sending off of Uruguay's Martin Cacares for his second yellow card. The goal was nothing special as Bolatti tapped in after Uruguay couldn't get the ball out of its penalty area.

When the whistle sounded, Maradona was -- as expected -- mobbed by players and photographers.

Argentina joins Brazil, Paraguay and Chile as the other automatic South American qualifiers. For Argentina it's the country's 10th consecutive place in the finals, and 15th overall.

The question, now, immediately turns to if Maradona will be the man to lead Argentina next June in South Africa. Throughout the qualifying campaign his squad selections and tactics left almost everyone scratching their collective heads.

Whatever happens, the inclusion of Maradona in South Africa likely means a lot more fun for neutral fans and journalists due to his unpredictable behavior. If Maradona is fired or steps down, it likely means Argentina will be taken a lot more seriously. Expect this "will he/won't he?" game to play out for the next couple months.

At the very least, Argentina's win ensures that Lionel Messi will have the possibility to dazzle on the World stage.

Meanwhile, Uruguay finds itself in the same position it was four years ago, awaiting a playoff. In 2005, Uruguay was paired against Australia -- then a member of Oceania -- losing out to the Socceroos in penalty kicks in Sydney after the two-leg affair ended 1-1.

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Argentineï¿½s forward Lionel Messi (C) runs to elude Uruguayï¿½s midfielders Jorge Rodriguez (L) and Diego Perez (R) during their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on October 14, 2009. AFP PHOTO / PABLO PORCIUNCULA (Photo credit should read PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Argentina's Martin Demichelis, left, fights for the ball with Uruguay's Luis Suares during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Montevideo, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Andres Cuenca)

France's national soccer coach Raymond Domenech, right, yells out during their World Cup 2010 group 7 qualifying soccer match against Austria at Stade de France, in Saint Denis, north outskirts of Paris, France, Wednesday Oct. 14, 2009. France won the match 3-1. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Chile's Humberto Suazo celebrates with his teammate Manuel Iturra after scoring during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Ecuador in Santiago, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Santiago Llanquin)

Argentina's Diego Maradona gives instructions to his players during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Uruguay in Montevideo, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

A fan of Honduras' soccer team holds up his nation's flag prior to the start of a 2010 World Cup qualifying match with El Salvador in San Salvador, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Luis Romero)

Argentineï¿½s defender Gabriel Heinze (R) duels for the ball with Uruguayï¿½s midfielder Diego Perez during their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on October 14, 2009. AFP PHOTO / PABLO PORCIUNCULA (Photo credit should read PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Argentina's head coach Diego Maradona is seen on a screen while people watch the FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match between Uruguay and Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 14, 2009. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Chile's national football team coach Marcelo Bielsa gestures during their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match at the Monumental stadium in Santiago on October 14, 2009. AFP PHOTO/ Claudio Santana (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Argentina's players leave the pitch at the end of the first half during their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match against Uruguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on October 14, 2009. AFP PHOTO / ALEJANDRO PAGNI (Photo credit should read ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP/Getty Images)

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