The giants of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay all battled in the last few days on the road to Qatar 2022. All the action and talking points are here in one place!
Bolivia 4 – 0 Paraguay
Bolivia notched up their second win on the bounce in South American World Cup Qualifying by handing Paraguay a shock defeat in the high-altitude Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz. Bolivia’s La Verde arrived at this game with confidence after a surprise win against Peru and they built on that solid victory, to win this one in style. Rodrigo Ramallo opened the scoring with a sweet strike from outside the area and Moises Villarroel made it two in the second half. After that, Victor Abrego and Roberto Fernandes secured the three points for the Andean nation. Bolivia move up to 7th place in the South American qualifying table on 12 points after 12 games. Paraguay move down to 8th, with the same points total.
Colombia 0 – 0 Ecuador
Colombia and Ecuador shared the points in this goalless draw. Los Cafeteros of Colombia extended their unbeaten run to eight games, but they have found it hard to pick up victories in that time, having won 2 and drawn 6. La Tri of Ecuador, on the other hand, suffered a tough defeat against Venezuela, but this point means that they remain in contention for a World Cup spot. Ecuador are 3rd in South American qualifying, on 17 points. Colombia are in 4th on 16.
Argentina 1 – 0 Peru
Lautaro Martinez strike gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires in this World Cup qualifying showdown. Martinez, who plays his club football in Italy’s Serie A for Inter Milan put the Albiceleste ahead in the 43rd minute with a brilliant header. Yoshimar Yotun wasted a clear chance to make the scores level in the 63rd minute when he missed his penalty kick. The result sees Argentina extended their unbeaten run to 25 matches and they are now second in the table on 25 points. Peru are on 11 points and in 9th.
Chile 3 – 0 Venezuela
Chile recorded their second win in a row as they demolished Venezuela 3-0 at the Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo in Santiago de Chile. Erick Pulgar scored twice in the first half for La Roja, while Ben Brereton sealed this emphatic victory with a strike in the second half. Chile keep their chances of qualifying for Qatar 2022 alive with this win. They now occupy 6th place with 13 points. La Vinotinto are rock bottom with 7.
Brazil 4 – 1 Uruguay
Brazil extended their incredible unbeaten run to 11 games in the Conmebol South American World Cup Qualifiers as they thrashed Uruguay 4-1 at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus. Neymar put the Seleção ahead with a fantastic goal, but Leeds United’s Raphinha was the man of the match, as the striker’s brace ended any hopes Uruguay may have had of turning things around. Luis Suarez pulled one back for the visitors with a free-kick, but then Gabriel Barbosa netted to seal the 4-1 win for Brazil. Uruguay’s La Celeste are now 5th on 16 points. Meanwhile, Brazil are flying high on top of the group with 31 points.
