Jorge Sampaoli has admitted Argentina are in an uncomfortable position after a 0-0 draw against Peru left them dangerously close to failing to qualifying for the World Cup. Sampaoli said Lionel Messi's team was "angry" with the result that came in front of a sell-out home crowd in Buenos Aires, but the coach remains confident they will make it to Russia in 2018.

Argentina's Lionel Messi is dejected after his team's goalless draw against Peru in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday. Pic/AFP

Should they miss out, it would be the first occasion since 1970 that the two-time World Cup champions, who reached the final against Germany three years ago, will not play in the tournament. Speaking after the disappointing result Sampaoli said there remained an "atmosphere of enthusiasm" within the squad that they could still qualify.

"I am very confident that if we play with the conviction with which we did today we will be in the World Cup," he said. "Today, Argentina was far superior to Peru, playing with a lot of authority. The situation is not comfortable. But the ranking still depends on us. "We could not beat them on the scoreboard but they did in the game. We are very hopeful for everything that comes."