Update: Argentina has now qualified for the 2010 World Cup after winning the game against Uruguay 1-0. The goal that brought relief to Maradona and the Argentinian fans came six minutes before the end fo the match.

The sword of Damocles is hanging over Argentina; if its soccer team loses to Uruguay today, then it could spell the end of Argentina's 2010 World Cup dreams. 32 countries will play at the showpiece tournament in South Africa next June/July, including the Netherlands whose team qualified with eight straight victories. The failure of Argentina to qualify would also rule out the chance of a dream final for the Dutch royal family. Princess Máxima, the wife of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, is from Argentina.

By Carolina Gil Posse in Buenos Aires

It would be the first time that Argentina, which won the competition in 1986, has failed to make it through to the Championships for decades.

After last Saturday's last-minute victory over Peru, Diego Armando Maradona said, "it was the miracle of San Palermo (the winning goal was scored by Martín Palermo in stoppage time) that saved us so we can fight for our lives against Uruguay".

Hand of God
Words from the master: Maradona; the god of Argentinean football is now coaching the Argentinean national side, known as the Albiceleste. References to mystical forces are two a penny these days, though it’s not a new phenomenon in football – on the way to winning the 1986 World Cup, Maradona scored against England in the quarter-finals with a handball that the referee didn’t spot – and he later famously claimed it was "the Hand of God".

The possibility that the Albiceleste won't make it through to the World Cup in South Africa has driven millions of fans in Argentina to the practice of odd and arcane rituals including consulting the stars, crossing fingers and pleading with the heavens for salvation.

But sports journalists say fans shouldn't be looking to the heavens - they should be looking to the trainers' bench where the Albiceleste's coach follows the players' every move during every match. Maradona's abilities have been severely criticised and not just by football experts; the fans are beginning to doubt his abilities as well. But then again, every Argentine fan believes he or she is an expert.

Decider
The deciding match against Uruguay will take place in the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on Wednesday evening. There are three possible outcomes: Albiceleste makes it through to the World Cup; the team has to go to the play-offs or the team loses and stays at home.

But why doesn't the Argentinean team shine and dazzle fans with exciting football? Perhaps a better question would be why does the team look to be on the point of collapse? Everyone seems to have an answer, whether it's on the street, in the papers, on TV or Internet blogs. Hundreds of fans have taken to cyberspace to argue about Diego Maradona and whether he is responsible for the Albiceleste's terrible performances. Fans used to believe that a star-studded team coached by the 'best footballer in history' guaranteed success. However, the team just can't seem to get it together.

Anger
Recent polls reveal that 67 percent of the population don't think that Maradona should be coaching the national side. The team's poor performances on the pitch are only matched by their poor relations with each other off the pitch.

In the run-up to the match with Peru, Maradona told journalists that he had no intention of resigning despite various media reports to the contrary. An angry Maradona said, "don't interpret my words, just write down what I say," adding, "I am not resigning and I'm not going anywhere".

The euphoria following the victory over Peru was short-lived; football journalists quickly returned to blaming Maradona for Albiceleste's poor performance on the pitch.

Busted computer
Juan Pablo Varsky, a successful sports journalist for the daily La Nacíon newspaper and football commentator on Argentinean television wrote in a column:
 

"The match played the day before yesterday was not a miracle. It would have been a miracle if the team had played well, but they didn't. The chaos and the lack of leadership destroyed every good intention. An illusion only lasts for five minutes".
 

According to Mr Varsky, Maradona isn't in charge of a team but "compulsively gathered a group of players in the same way that one bashes the side of a busted computer in order to see if it helps".

The accusations levelled at Maradona hit a new low when Uruguay's El País newspaper reported "Maradona isn't God anymore, people now see him as the Devil".

RNW translation (jc)
 

Lead photo: Maradona uses a hand to guide the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton in 1986.