SOUTH AMERICAN World Cup qualifiers have reached their conclusion.
Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay have confirmed their places, and it’s Peru who will be going to the intercontinental play-off.
The Peruvians made light work of Paraguay, making Colombia and Chile’s results irrelevant.
Meanwhile Luis Suarez became the all-time record goalscorer in South American World Cup qualifying.
Full time results
- Bolivia 0 Brazil 4
- Ecuador 1 Argentina 1
- Peru 2 Paraguay 0
- Chile 0 Uruguay 2
- Venezuela 0 Colombia 1
Get all the latest football news and updates here…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
To be continued…
That’s the end of the scheduled South American World Cup qualifying calendar and all the teams into the World Cup and the play-offs are known.
Congratulations to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador and Peru.
However, there is still one fixture of South American World Cup qualifying left, ironically between two sides who qualified months ago.
Leaders Brazil face second placed Argentina at a date, time and venue yet to be confirmed.
That’s because the original match was postponed due to the Brazilian Health Authorities invading the pitch to deport four Argentina stars for breaching Covid quarantine regulations.
Brazil’s rescheduled match against Argentina is still to be played Record breaker
Lionel Messi has enjoyed a fantastic qualifying campaign with Argentina.
But his goal record in South American World Cup qualifiers has been broken by none other than ex-Barcelona team-mate and close friend Luis Suarez.
Suarez’s brilliant overhead kick for Uruguay in Chile means he is now out on his own as the all-time record scorer in South American World Cup qualifying.
Luis Suarez is the all-time top scorer in South American World Cup qualifiers Gift of the gab
Arsenal fans will be loving what they’re seeing from Gabriel Martinelli.
Shades of Dennis Bergkamp in the way he turns his way through the Bolivia defence. Only the finish is lacking.
Record breakers
Argentina equal their longest ever unbeaten streak – 31 straight games.
But it’s still not enough for them to top the group.
Brazil end up in top spot with 45 points from just 17 games.
FULL TIME: Venezuela 0 Colombia 1
James Rodriguez’s retaken penalty is enough to earn an unimpressive Colombia side their first win in Venezuela since 1996.
But it hasn’t stopped them being eliminated from the World Cup thanks to Peru’s result.
90+5: Ecuador 1 Argentina 1
Incredible noise from the Ecuador support.
The city of Guayaquil is known for it’s passion for football but rarely gets to see the national team play as Ecuador tend to opt for the altitude of Quito.
They’re making the most of it tonight on the country’s South West coast!
FULL TIME: Peru 2 Paraguay 0
Job done extremely professionally for Ricardo Gareca’s side.
Goals from Gianluca Lapadula and Yosimar Yotun in the first half prove enough to send them to the intercontinental play-off.
They will meet Australia or the United Arab Emirates in Qatar in June.
PERU QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP PLAY-OFF!
GOAL FOR ECUADOR!
Enner Valencia sees his spot kick saved by Jeronimo Rulli.
But the Argentine goalkeeper is unbelievably unlucky as the ball falls straight at the former West Ham man’s feet.
Valencia has all the time in the world to tap home the equaliser.
A huge morale-boosting point for the Ecuadorians as they plan for Qatar.
PENALTY TO ECUADOR!
90: Chile 0 Uruguay 2
Federico Valverde makes the game safe for Uruguay.
Only a couple of rounds ago they were looking like missing out on the World Cup altogether.
But Diego Alonso has done a fantastic job coming in and steadying the ship following the departure of Oscar Tabarez.
FULL TIME: Bolivia 0 Brazil 4
GOAL FOR URUGUAY!
GOAL FOR BRAZIL!
It’s a fourth for Brazil and a second for Richarlison.
They haven’t quite climbed Everest, but they’ve conquered the altitude of La Paz with consummate ease.
Bolivia 0 Brazil 4
A sight for Suar eyes
Like a fine wine, Luis Suarez is getting better with age.
An incredible overhead kick to give Uruguay the lead in Chile.
79: Venezuela 0 Colombia 1
A carnival atmosphere in Ciudad Guayana as the Mexican Wave gets started.
Both sets of fans probably starting to realise this is it for their sides.
Venezuela not looking too much like equalising and qualification for the World Cup is completely out of Colombia’s hands.
78: Venezuela 0 Colombia 1
Venezuela’s Soteldo causing havoc again as he beats his man and fires a shot across the box.
But nobody is there to tap it in.
Colombia look like they’re heading for a first World Cup qualifying victory in Venezuela since 1996.
Not that that will provide them much comfort if Peru hold onto their 2-0 lead against Paraguay.
75: Chile 0 Uruguay 1
The curtain is about to come down on Chile’s greatest every football era.
Started by Marcelo Bielsa back in 2007, the Chileans impressed in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups as well as winning two Copa America trophies against Messi and Argentina.
But a goal from Uruguay’s Luis Suarez means that they will not be going to this year’s competition.
And it’s almost certainly the last time Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez will be seen representing their country.
GOAL FOR URUGUAY!
Bearing the brun-t
It’s a pleasure to watch this Brazil team at the moment.
A beautiful volley from Bruno Guimaraes is set to make it 17 played, 14 wins, three draws and no defeats.
60: Bolivia 0 Brazil 3
It’s a delight for Newcastle fans.
Bruno Guimaraes has bagged a goal and an assist in La Paz as Brazil head for a record-breaking campaign.
GOAL FOR BRAZIL
Chil-ling out
In Chile, the fans are starting to realise the game is up and have taken to applauding Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez every time they touch the ball.
At 34 and 33 respectively, this is likely to be the last time the fans see either playing for their national team and they’re determined to make the most of it.
51: Venezuela 0 Colombia 1
A good run from Yeferson Soteldo, who runs down the left and crosses for Rondon, who heads wide.
The Everton star will be very disappointed with himself if he doesn’t get a goal tonight.
Paying the penalty
James Rodriguez’s penalty which put Colombia in front at the second attempt in Venezuela.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
