Ireland’s World Cup hopes ended by Argentina demolition

IRELAND will be once again on the outside looking in at a major tournament after Argentina dashed their slim hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup with a crushing 4-0 win in Quilmes.

A disastrous 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Thursday left the Irish needing to defeat the hosts by three to qualify for yesterday’s final, but Argentina’s prowess at short-corner time proved the difference.

Mario Almada’s field goal got them off the mark on 11 minutes, and corner strikes from Pedro Ibarra and Lucas Cammareri killed Irish hopes inside 24 minutes. Ibarra added another from the penalty spot in the second period.