BUENOS AIRES, March 25 (Reuters) – High-flying Argentina, humiliated 6-1 the last time they played Bolivia in La Paz, have the confidence to avoid crashing badly again in the thin air for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier.

But Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella is taking no chances, mindful of predecessor Diego Maradona’s team and their shock demolition in the equivalent qualifier in 2009.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Lionel Messi produced another brilliant performance to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Friday, but Colombia kept up the chase on the group leaders with a 5-0 demolition of Bolivia.

The duo are the front runners in the nine-nation South American group heading into the final straight of the qualifiers with their coaches looking to ensure there is a good balance of hard work to go with the immense skill.

BUENOS AIRES, March 23 (Reuters) – Lionel Messi produced another brilliant performance to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Friday, but Colombia kept up the chase on the group leaders with a 5-0 demolition of Bolivia.

The duo are the front runners in the nine-nation South American group heading into the final straight of the qualifiers with their coaches looking to ensure there is a good balance of hard work to go with the immense skill.

LONDON (Reuters) – Velez Sarsfield landed the top Argentine mid-season transfer by bringing Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago home on loan from Valencia on Thursday.

The Spanish Primera Liga club and the Argentine champions “have reached an agreement for the release of the player Fernando Gago until the end of this season,” said a statement on Valencia’s website (www.valenciacf.com).

LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Velez Sarsfield landed the top Argentine mid-season transfer by bringing Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago home on loan from Valencia on Thursday.

The Spanish Primera Liga club and the Argentine champions “have reached an agreement for the release of the player Fernando Gago until the end of this season,” said a statement on Valencia’s website (www.valenciacf.com).

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Top-scorer Facundo Ferreyra struck twice to give Velez Sarsfield a 2-0 home win over Union which clinched Argentina’s “Inicial” championship on Sunday.

Velez clinched their ninth league title with a match to spare, taking 38 points from 18 matches for an unassailable five-point lead over second-placed Lanus, who lost 1-0 at River Plate.

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 2 (Reuters) – Top-scorer Facundo Ferreyra struck twice to give Velez Sarsfield a 2-0 home win over Union which clinched Argentina’s “Inicial” championship on Sunday.

Velez clinched their ninth league title with a match to spare, taking 38 points from 18 matches for an unassailable five-point lead over second-placed Lanus, who lost 1-0 at River Plate.

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 29 (Reuters) – Ramon Diaz, a favourite with the fans after steering a gifted River Plate side to seven major trophies between 1996 and 2002, is returning to the troubled Argentine giants as coach for a third time.

“Ramon Diaz has become River Plate’s new coach. This Thursday afternoon, the club’s president (Daniel Passarella) verbally agreed Ramon Diaz’s arrival,” the record 33-times league champions told their official website (www.cariverplate.com.ar).

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Former River Plate midfielder Matias Almeyda ended his 18 months as the Argentine club’s coach on Wednesday, with two matches to go to the end of the “Inicial” championship.

“My cycle at River has finished,” the former Lazio and Argentina midfielder, who had a contract until the end of the season next June, told a news conference.

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Former River Plate midfielder Matias Almeyda ended his 18 months as the Argentine club’s coach on Wednesday, with two matches to go to the end of the “Inicial” championship.

“My cycle at River has finished,” the former Lazio and Argentina midfielder, who had a contract until the end of the season next June, told a news conference.