Di Maria: Argentina will fight to the end

Having already booked their place in Brazil next summer, the Real Madrid winger says the Albiceleste will not ease off in their remaining fixtures

Angel Di Maria has said that Argentina will "fight until the end" in an effort to finish top of the Conmebol standings.

The Albiceleste became the first South American country - apart from the host nation - to qualify for the tournament in Brazil next June following a 5-2 victory over Paraguay in September.

Despite already cementing their passage to next summer's showpiece, though, the Real Madrid attacker insists the team will perform as if their tournament lives depended on it in the country's remaining fixtures with Peru and Uruguay respectively.

"The last time around, in the World Cup qualifiers, nothing was handed to us," the 25-year-old told reporters.

"We had to fight until the end and we're going to do the same to try to get six points and finish top of the group.

"Before the match against Paraguay we talked about wanting to depend only on ourselves, feel the responsibility of winning and being at the World Cup.

"We did it and it was a good feeling for all of us."