MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — After months of worry that it would miss the World Cup, Argentina narrowly qualified for next year’s tournament.

Mario Bolatti scored amid a goalmouth scramble in the 84th minute, and coach Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste beat Uruguay 1-0 Wednesday night to earn the fourth and final automatic berth from South America.
Maradona repeatedly used foul language to lash out at his critics at the post-match news conference.
“To those who treated me like garbage, I say were are in World Cup with full honors,” he said.
He credited the win to support he received from fans.
“Thanks to my players, today I was confirmed as a coach,” he said.
Brazil (9-2-7), Chile (10-5-3) and Paraguay (10-4-3) had earlier clinched the first three berths from South America.
Argentina (8-6-4), which would have missed its first World Cup since 1970 if it had lost, wound up fourth with 28 points and will go to the tournament for the 10th straight time.
Uruguay (6-6-6) finished fifth with 24 and will meet Costa Rica or Honduras in a home-and-home playoff next month for another berth.
Argentina scored just after Uruguay defender Martin Caceres tripped Juan Sebastian Veron just outside the penalty area and was ejected for his second yellow card.
Caceres covered his head with his jersey as he was sent off. From the ensuing free kick, Lionel Messi and Veron smoothly set up Bolatti, who entered just four minutes earlier. Bolatti beat goalkeeper Fernando Muslera with a low shot.