Sao Paulo, November 17

Argentina secured a place in next year’s World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Brazil, giving Lionel Messi his fifth and possibly final shot at winning the only major trophy missing in his career.

Second-placed Argentina qualified after Chile lost 2-0 at home to third-placed Ecuador. With 29 points and four qualifiers remaining, Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad cannot be overtaken by more than two rivals.

Competition-leading Brazil had already secured the first of South America’s four direct entries to Qatar 2022. The fifth-placed team goes into an intercontinental playoff for a spot in Qatar. — AP

Dutch return

Rotterdam: The Netherlands will be back at the World Cup after an eight-year gap, forcing Norway star Erling Haaland to wait until at least 2026 to make his debut on the biggest stage. The Dutch did just enough with late goals in a 2-0 win over Norway. The unbeaten Ukrainians, who drew six of their eight Group D games, rose into second place above Finland, who were eliminated by losing 2-0 at home to table-topping France. AP