Palermo saves Argentina's Cup dream

BUENOS AIRES: "Saint Palermo" came to the rescue of Diego Maradona's Argentina in a dramatic World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Palermo was at the far post two minutes into stoppage time to turn in a shot by fellow substitute Federico Insua that took a deflection off a Peruvian boot to hand Maradona's Argentina a 2-1 victory over Peru. Maradona celebrated as if he had scored the winner himself, diving on the sodden turf at pitchside and gliding several meters on his chest.

"Yes, I thought we were out of the World Cup but I'd forgotten about Palermo, Saint Palermo," Maradona said.