Argentina up to fourth in FIFA rankings

NYON, Switzerland, March 9 (UPI) -- Argentina passed Brazil as the highest ranked South American team but Spain remains a solid No. 1 in the FIFA men's soccer rankings released Wednesday.

Spain has been the top-ranked team in the world since winning the World Cup last July when it knocked Brazil from the top spot. Argentina now has passed Brazil for fourth in the rankings.

In the last month Argentina defeated Portugal, a Top 10 team, 2-1. Brazil dropped a 1-0 decision to France. That, with adjustments to rankings points from earlier matches, led to Argentina gaining 45 points in the rankings and Brazil lost 35. As a result, Argentina was able to move, by one point, to fourth in the rankings and Brazil is fifth, its lowest ranking in two years.

For Argentina, the No. 4 ranking is the highest since the Argentines were No. 1 in June 2008.

The only other change in the Top 10 this month was also due to Argentina's win against Portugal as Croatia was able to go up one spot past Portugal to eighth, knocking the Portuguese to ninth.

Spain (1,880 points) is first followed by the Netherlands (1,730) and Germany (1,486). Argentina has 1,412 points with Brazil right behind at 1,411.

England (1,212) is sixth with Uruguay (1,172) seventh, Croatia (1,060) in eighth, Portugal (1,060) ninth and Greece (1,038) in 10th.

The FIFA world rankings are determined by points awarded from match results in a three-year period, with more recent games given greater weight. Teams get additional points for playing relatively strong opponents. The next FIFA men's rankings are to be released April 13.