Last time out, Portugal won the final qualifying group in Europe. However, that's not the end of qualifying there, as there are still the play-offs.
In contrast, today is the final update from South America! We'll cover the final four rounds of fixtures. This is how the table looks after last episode:
In contrast, today is the final update from South America! We'll cover the final four rounds of fixtures. This is how the table looks after last episode:
A reminder: the top four teams will go straight to the DWC finals, whilst the fifth-placed team will go into the Intercontinental play-off. Currently, that side is Argentina, but they will know they are capable of much better.
Round 15
Argentina were given a great chance to leap into the qualification spots as they faced Chile next. Argentina had the better of the game, but it looked like Chile were hanging on for a point right until added time, when Argentina were awarded a penalty. Lucas Pratto stepped up, and put it away. Enzo Pérez added a second for a 2-0 win. Top faced bottom, and two early goals helped Brazil to a 2-0 victory, their first win in six. Things got even better for Argentina and Brazil as the other teams in the qualification spots both dropped points - Peru being held 1-1 by Bolivia, and Colombia losing 1-0 to Venezuela. Elsewhere, Paraguay beat Ecuador 1-0 to overtake their opponents in the table.
Round 15
Argentina were given a great chance to leap into the qualification spots as they faced Chile next. Argentina had the better of the game, but it looked like Chile were hanging on for a point right until added time, when Argentina were awarded a penalty. Lucas Pratto stepped up, and put it away. Enzo Pérez added a second for a 2-0 win. Top faced bottom, and two early goals helped Brazil to a 2-0 victory, their first win in six. Things got even better for Argentina and Brazil as the other teams in the qualification spots both dropped points - Peru being held 1-1 by Bolivia, and Colombia losing 1-0 to Venezuela. Elsewhere, Paraguay beat Ecuador 1-0 to overtake their opponents in the table.
Round 16
Both Uruguay and Ecuador had to win to avoid elimination. Uruguay did take the lead against Colombia, but eventually drew 1-1, whilst Ecuador were thumped 4-0 by Peru. Argentina failed to build on their previous win, as they lost in a very disappointing manner, 1-0 to Paraguay. This gave Chile the chance to return to the qualification spots, but a loss to Venezuela would also see them slip outside the play-off spot. As a result, this was a tense match, with the only goal coming in the 92nd minute as Mauricio Pinilla tapped in to give Chile a crucial victory. Meanwhile, Argentina's defeat meant that Brazil could qualify for the finals if they beat Bolivia. Everton Ribeiro headed Brazil into an early lead, and Bolivia never threatened to level. Despite not adding to the lead, Brazil claimed a 1-0 victory that made sure that last year's runners-up would be at this year's DWC!
Both Uruguay and Ecuador had to win to avoid elimination. Uruguay did take the lead against Colombia, but eventually drew 1-1, whilst Ecuador were thumped 4-0 by Peru. Argentina failed to build on their previous win, as they lost in a very disappointing manner, 1-0 to Paraguay. This gave Chile the chance to return to the qualification spots, but a loss to Venezuela would also see them slip outside the play-off spot. As a result, this was a tense match, with the only goal coming in the 92nd minute as Mauricio Pinilla tapped in to give Chile a crucial victory. Meanwhile, Argentina's defeat meant that Brazil could qualify for the finals if they beat Bolivia. Everton Ribeiro headed Brazil into an early lead, and Bolivia never threatened to level. Despite not adding to the lead, Brazil claimed a 1-0 victory that made sure that last year's runners-up would be at this year's DWC!
Round 17
Argentina were unable to break the deadlock as they visited Peru, and were held to a 0-0 draw. Luckily, two of the teams above them were facing each other, and Daniel Bocanegra's wonderful long shot was enough to earn Colombia a 1-0 win over Chile, which was enough to secure qualification for the victors. Uruguay may be out, but they can still hurt other teams, and Diego Forlán (yes, Diego Forlán!) notched the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Bolivia that meant their opponents could no longer qualify. Similarly, Venezuela and Paraguay played with the loser knowing they would be out. Dany Cure's smart finish in the first half ultimately proved enough for a 1-0 win for Venezuela to keep themselves alive. Finally, Brazil's superb form continued with a 2-1 win over Ecuador.
Argentina were unable to break the deadlock as they visited Peru, and were held to a 0-0 draw. Luckily, two of the teams above them were facing each other, and Daniel Bocanegra's wonderful long shot was enough to earn Colombia a 1-0 win over Chile, which was enough to secure qualification for the victors. Uruguay may be out, but they can still hurt other teams, and Diego Forlán (yes, Diego Forlán!) notched the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Bolivia that meant their opponents could no longer qualify. Similarly, Venezuela and Paraguay played with the loser knowing they would be out. Dany Cure's smart finish in the first half ultimately proved enough for a 1-0 win for Venezuela to keep themselves alive. Finally, Brazil's superb form continued with a 2-1 win over Ecuador.
This is the table with one round of fixtures to be played:
Argentina may have just battled to get into fourth, but they now have to play Brazil away from home. Should they fail to win, Chile would secure their qualification if they beat Uruguay. Should both teams mess up, Venezuela can steal it by beating Peru. Peru aren't technically qualified, but they would need a ten goal swing in Chile's favour to have any chance of failing to make it.
Peru vs Venezuela
Venezuela got off to the perfect start as Evelio Hernández fired them into an early lead. Juan Falcón made it 2-0 by half time, and further goals saw them fly into a 4-0 lead. Peru now seriously had to consider their goal difference, so it was a minor relief when Luis Ramírez pulled one back - 4-1 the final score, meaning that all four teams are still neither qualified nor eliminated.
Peru vs Venezuela
Venezuela got off to the perfect start as Evelio Hernández fired them into an early lead. Juan Falcón made it 2-0 by half time, and further goals saw them fly into a 4-0 lead. Peru now seriously had to consider their goal difference, so it was a minor relief when Luis Ramírez pulled one back - 4-1 the final score, meaning that all four teams are still neither qualified nor eliminated.
Chile vs Uruguay
Can Uruguay cause a second team to be eliminated? Well, no, as Fabián Monzón and Esteban Paredes both struck to earn an easy 2-0 win for the hosts. They couldn't press on and get the further goals to overtake Peru in the table, but they have done enough to earn at least a play-off spot.
Can Uruguay cause a second team to be eliminated? Well, no, as Fabián Monzón and Esteban Paredes both struck to earn an easy 2-0 win for the hosts. They couldn't press on and get the further goals to overtake Peru in the table, but they have done enough to earn at least a play-off spot.
Brazil vs Argentina
The equation is simple - Argentina must win to avoid elimination, which would also secure their qualification and put Chile into the play-offs. In their way, their deadly rivals who are on a run of three straight wins. Argentina have struggled for goals, and for this game they switch to Mauro Zárate up front, but he failed to add anything new. The visitors did push hard, but a fine defensive performance at the back from Brazil ensured that a 0-0 draw dumped Argentina out of this year's DWC!
The equation is simple - Argentina must win to avoid elimination, which would also secure their qualification and put Chile into the play-offs. In their way, their deadly rivals who are on a run of three straight wins. Argentina have struggled for goals, and for this game they switch to Mauro Zárate up front, but he failed to add anything new. The visitors did push hard, but a fine defensive performance at the back from Brazil ensured that a 0-0 draw dumped Argentina out of this year's DWC!
Elsewhere, Bolivia finished in style, routing Ecuador 5-1, whilst Paraguay held Colombia to a 1-1 draw.
Final table
Final table
Wow, what a finale! Argentina, one of the best performers of last year's DWC, are out and it's a welcome return to DWC action for 2017's darlings Peru. Brazil continue to look strong, whilst there remains very little to separate the rest of the chasing pack.
So, that's everything in South America wrapped up, and next time we finish up in North America too!
So, that's everything in South America wrapped up, and next time we finish up in North America too!