We are planning to have 35 updates on the DWC qualifying process - this is the 18th, so the one where we move beyond halfway. And we are going to be going beyond halfway in South American qualifying, as we cover the 8th-14th rounds of fixtures (out of 18). This is how the table looks after the first update:
Nobody is out, and nobody is through. But that will likely change today, as after today there will only be four rounds of fixtures left. Brazil, Argentina and Colombia are currently level at the top, and all will hope to repeat last year's success in qualifying for the finals. There is a close-knit chasing pack, and at the bottom Venezuela, Paraguay and Bolivia need to quickly improve to stay competitive.
Round 8
Brazil stayed on top of the pile with a 2-0 win over Ecuador, both goals coming from powerful Luan shots. Colombia, however, slipped behind a little as a last-minute equaliser from Chile's Matías Rodríguez earned a 1-1 draw. However, it was even worse for Argentina, who had a horrendous first half, going 3-0 down to Peru. They got one back in the second half, but a further Peruvian goal sealed a fantastic 4-1 victory. Uruguay suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Bolivia, despite their opponents suffering a red card. This meant that Paraguay's 1-0 win over Venezuela put their opponents bottom of the pile.
Round 8
Brazil stayed on top of the pile with a 2-0 win over Ecuador, both goals coming from powerful Luan shots. Colombia, however, slipped behind a little as a last-minute equaliser from Chile's Matías Rodríguez earned a 1-1 draw. However, it was even worse for Argentina, who had a horrendous first half, going 3-0 down to Peru. They got one back in the second half, but a further Peruvian goal sealed a fantastic 4-1 victory. Uruguay suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Bolivia, despite their opponents suffering a red card. This meant that Paraguay's 1-0 win over Venezuela put their opponents bottom of the pile.
Round 9
Bolivia picked up a second successive 1-0 win, as they won against Ecuador in a game where both teams finished a man down. This was also the scoreline as Colombia beat Paraguay, whilst Peru did well to come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Venezuela. Uruguay lead early on against Chile, but their opponents stormed back to lead 3-1, ultimately winning 3-2. But the big match this round came as Argentina hosted Brazil. The visitors flew 2-0 up thanks to great strikes from Miguel Borja and Luan, but Argentina were level at half time thanks to two goals from corners, including a venomous Wílmar Barrios volley. The second half was quieter, with the first moment of note being a red card for Argentina's Pablo Guinazú in the 74th minute. They looked on course for a draw until the 87th minute when Diego rocketed home a shot from outside the box to grab victory for Brazil.
Bolivia picked up a second successive 1-0 win, as they won against Ecuador in a game where both teams finished a man down. This was also the scoreline as Colombia beat Paraguay, whilst Peru did well to come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Venezuela. Uruguay lead early on against Chile, but their opponents stormed back to lead 3-1, ultimately winning 3-2. But the big match this round came as Argentina hosted Brazil. The visitors flew 2-0 up thanks to great strikes from Miguel Borja and Luan, but Argentina were level at half time thanks to two goals from corners, including a venomous Wílmar Barrios volley. The second half was quieter, with the first moment of note being a red card for Argentina's Pablo Guinazú in the 74th minute. They looked on course for a draw until the 87th minute when Diego rocketed home a shot from outside the box to grab victory for Brazil.
Round 10
Argentina slumped to their third defeat in a row as Bolivia picked up their third 1-0 win in a row. Peru struck late on to beat Colombia by a single goal, and the other three matches were draws. Brazil had to fight back to draw 1-1 with Venezuela thanks to a colossal goalkeeper error from Mario Santilli, whilst there were two early goals as Uruguay and Ecuador also drew 1-1. The remaining game was goalless between Chile and Paraguay.
Argentina slumped to their third defeat in a row as Bolivia picked up their third 1-0 win in a row. Peru struck late on to beat Colombia by a single goal, and the other three matches were draws. Brazil had to fight back to draw 1-1 with Venezuela thanks to a colossal goalkeeper error from Mario Santilli, whilst there were two early goals as Uruguay and Ecuador also drew 1-1. The remaining game was goalless between Chile and Paraguay.
Round 11
This round saw even less action, as three games finished without a goal: Paraguay vs Uruguay, Peru vs 10-man Chile and Ecuador vs Argentina, with the latter representing a very unconvincing end to Argentina's run of defeats. There were goals as the top two sides met, but yet again it was level, both sides scoring in the first 20 minutes for a 1-1 draw. This meant the only winners of the round were Venezuela, as a brace from Dany Cure ended Bolivia's run of wins.
Round 12
Uruguay hosted rivals Argentina with both sides winless for four matches. Goals from Carlos Izquierdoz and Lucas Pratto earned Argentina the win, 2-0. Venezuela have reacted well since going bottom, and they continue to impress with a 3-0 defeat of Ecuador. Paraguay picked up their second win of the group as they overcame Peru 2-1. Colombia struggled to a 1-1 draw with Bolivia, but Brazil couldn't take advantage at the top of the table as they were held to a goalless draw by Chile.
This round saw even less action, as three games finished without a goal: Paraguay vs Uruguay, Peru vs 10-man Chile and Ecuador vs Argentina, with the latter representing a very unconvincing end to Argentina's run of defeats. There were goals as the top two sides met, but yet again it was level, both sides scoring in the first 20 minutes for a 1-1 draw. This meant the only winners of the round were Venezuela, as a brace from Dany Cure ended Bolivia's run of wins.
Round 12
Uruguay hosted rivals Argentina with both sides winless for four matches. Goals from Carlos Izquierdoz and Lucas Pratto earned Argentina the win, 2-0. Venezuela have reacted well since going bottom, and they continue to impress with a 3-0 defeat of Ecuador. Paraguay picked up their second win of the group as they overcame Peru 2-1. Colombia struggled to a 1-1 draw with Bolivia, but Brazil couldn't take advantage at the top of the table as they were held to a goalless draw by Chile.
Round 13
Those who followed the 2016 edition of the DWC should fondly remember the thrilling exploits of Peru and Uruguay, who made the semi-final and final respectively. The two met here, and the match went with current form as Peru claimed a 2-0 victory. Colombia picked up their first win in four with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador, whilst Bolivia and Chile shared a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, the continent's two big teams were both held to goalless draws at home, Brazil by Paraguay and Argentina by Venezuela.
Those who followed the 2016 edition of the DWC should fondly remember the thrilling exploits of Peru and Uruguay, who made the semi-final and final respectively. The two met here, and the match went with current form as Peru claimed a 2-0 victory. Colombia picked up their first win in four with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador, whilst Bolivia and Chile shared a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, the continent's two big teams were both held to goalless draws at home, Brazil by Paraguay and Argentina by Venezuela.
Round 14
Chile have had four consecutive draws, but that ended as they staved off an Ecuadorian fightback to win 3-2 - a third loss in a row for their opponents. Brazil failed to score for a third match in a row, and this time they didn't even get a point, as they lost 1-0 to Peru. This meant Colombia could go top with a win over Argentina, but a dour game ended 0-0. Bolivia and Venezuela both picked up wins to move within striking distance of the qualification spots, 1-0 and 2-1 against bottom two sides Paraguay and Uruguay respectively.
So that's all of today's episodes played, and this is the table:
Chile have had four consecutive draws, but that ended as they staved off an Ecuadorian fightback to win 3-2 - a third loss in a row for their opponents. Brazil failed to score for a third match in a row, and this time they didn't even get a point, as they lost 1-0 to Peru. This meant Colombia could go top with a win over Argentina, but a dour game ended 0-0. Bolivia and Venezuela both picked up wins to move within striking distance of the qualification spots, 1-0 and 2-1 against bottom two sides Paraguay and Uruguay respectively.
So that's all of today's episodes played, and this is the table:
Contrary to what I predicted early, no team has earned qualification yet, and no team is eliminated, although Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay would do very well to avoid that now. The big teams have spectacularly misfired this episode, and it all means we should have an explosive finale to this group!
Next time it's European Group E, which looks like it could be a real close scrap.
Next time it's European Group E, which looks like it could be a real close scrap.