Argentina have sacked Edgardo Bauza after eight matches as coach, with the team facing an uphill for automatic qualifying places for next year’s World Cup.

La Albiceleste are currently fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying group, with only the top four assured of qualifying for the tournament in Russia.

Finishing fifth would mean a play-off against a team from Oceania.

Bauza, was appointed in August and guided his side to three wins, two draws and three defeats.

AFA president Claudio Tapia said “We’ve told Bauza he’s ceased to be the national team coach,”

“The national team is playing badly and everyone knows it.”

Bauza’s final match was a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia, which came about 5 hours after captain Lionel Messi was given a four-match ban for verbally abusing an official.

Argentina have four games left in qualifying, with their next match against third-placed Uruguay on 31 August.

Last time Argentina failed to qualify for a World Cup was in 1970.