There are enough big World Cup qualifiers today to satisfy even though many of the issues are decided.
    Surely the greatest attention will be placed on the Uruguay-Argentina showdown in Montevideo where it remains possible that Argentina will be eliminated. That would happen if Uruguay and Ecuador (at Chile) both win, results that would send Uruguay directly to South Africa and Ecuador into the playoff against either Costa Rica or Honduras.
    Can't happen, you say? Argentina is simply too good, you argue. Well, it took a last minute goal from veteran Martin Palermo to beat Peru at the weekend. Argentina, frankly, hasn't been very good lately and it will require something better than what has been on offer recently if they want to escape from their qualifying mess.
    The other big points of interest involve European powers Croatia and Portugal.
    Just two years ago Croatia knocked England out of Euro 2008 and looked set to move into the top ranks of UEFA nations. Today they will need something of a miracle to even reach the playoffs because Ukraine starts the final day a point ahead and plays at tiny Andorra. Three points for Ukraine and Croatia will be out, no matter how they fare in Kazakhstan.
    Portugal has -- like Spain until that Euro 2008 triumph -- always promised more than it has been able to deliver. Today they need a win at home against Malta -- and they should get it -- to get into the playoffs and keep their South Africa hopes alive. Sweden is out unless the Maltese can pull a major upset.
    Here in CONCACAF you know the issue: Costa Rica starts the final day ahead of Honduras but must beat the USA in Washington, D.C. to be sure of direct qualification. The Hondurans will be hoping for an American victory to couple with a win of their own in El Salvador. That sequence  would allow them to finish third and send the Ticos into the playoff.
    For all the permutations go to FIFA's World Cup website for a thorough look at what can happen today.


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