A Test of Faith in Argentina

Diego Maradona and Argentina were humbled, 3-1, by Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match Saturday night. It was Argentina’s third loss in the five qualifiers since Maradona was named the coach in November.
ROSARIO, Argentina — Diego Maradona reached into his bag of emotional tricks to try to conjure a victory for Argentina against its archrival Brazil, and save his country’s dimming chances of making next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Maradona, the Argentine coach, had Saturday’s match moved from the capital, Buenos Aires, to a more intimate stadium here. He took the team to church on Thursday, to pray.

But none of it had the effect he was looking for. Argentina played listlessly, losing by 3-1 to Brazil, which clinched a World Cup spot and left Argentina hanging.

It was Argentina’s first loss to Brazil on Argentine soil in a Cup qualifier, and it left Argentina clinging to the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot in South America with three matches to play.