Last time, Turkey became the first team to qualify for the Draft World Cup finals, as they won all 10 of their matches.
We've had the start of qualifying in four continents now, and this is the fifth, as South American qualifying gets underway. This is the (very simple) format:
We've had the start of qualifying in four continents now, and this is the fifth, as South American qualifying gets underway. This is the (very simple) format:
The 10 teams here are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. This is a brutal qualifying campaign, proved last time as Argentina missed out on a thrilling final day.
There's 18 rounds of fixtures to get through, we're going to cover 8 today, 8 next time and leave 2 for the final update. So let's just get to it!
Matchday 1
Brazil got off to a good start as Gabriel "Gabigol" Barbosa scored in the 2nd minute against Paraguay. Dani Alves' lethal crossing laid on two goals for Geromel, and a late penalty meant the centre back grabbed an unlikely hat-trick. Throw in a good long shot from Bruno Guimaraes and it was a fantastic 5-0 victory. Horacio Calcattera's powerful shot was the only goal as Peru won away to Ecuador, whilst Colombia exploited chaotic Venezuelan defending to win 2-0. It was a disastrous start for Uruguay, as they went down to 9 men against Chile, eventually losing 2-1. But the main story was at El Monumental, as Bolivia struck within 3 minutes against Argentina. Bolivia had a second goal ruled out, and missed a penalty, but Argentina couldn't take those lifelines and fell to a 1-0 defeat.
There's 18 rounds of fixtures to get through, we're going to cover 8 today, 8 next time and leave 2 for the final update. So let's just get to it!
Matchday 1
Brazil got off to a good start as Gabriel "Gabigol" Barbosa scored in the 2nd minute against Paraguay. Dani Alves' lethal crossing laid on two goals for Geromel, and a late penalty meant the centre back grabbed an unlikely hat-trick. Throw in a good long shot from Bruno Guimaraes and it was a fantastic 5-0 victory. Horacio Calcattera's powerful shot was the only goal as Peru won away to Ecuador, whilst Colombia exploited chaotic Venezuelan defending to win 2-0. It was a disastrous start for Uruguay, as they went down to 9 men against Chile, eventually losing 2-1. But the main story was at El Monumental, as Bolivia struck within 3 minutes against Argentina. Bolivia had a second goal ruled out, and missed a penalty, but Argentina couldn't take those lifelines and fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Matchday 2
The last thing Argentina needed was a trip to the Maracana next, but that's what they had. They continued their nightmare start as RB Milton Casco saw red, which lead to a 2-0 defeat. Chile looked on course for a second win as they lead Colombia 1-0 at home, but two goals in the last 10 minutes stole the points for visitors. Paraguay's bad start continued, as they lost 2-1 to Venezuela, with both Venezuelan goals coming from penalties just after half time. Elsewhere, Bolivia and Ecuador drew 1-1, as did Peru and Uruguay.
The last thing Argentina needed was a trip to the Maracana next, but that's what they had. They continued their nightmare start as RB Milton Casco saw red, which lead to a 2-0 defeat. Chile looked on course for a second win as they lead Colombia 1-0 at home, but two goals in the last 10 minutes stole the points for visitors. Paraguay's bad start continued, as they lost 2-1 to Venezuela, with both Venezuelan goals coming from penalties just after half time. Elsewhere, Bolivia and Ecuador drew 1-1, as did Peru and Uruguay.
Matchday 3
From facing the group leaders to the group's lowest-placed team, Argentina next hosted Paraguay, and got off the mark with a 3-1 win. This was also the scoreline as Chile outclassed Venezuela. Bolivia showed some grit to battle back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Uruguay. Colombia continued their perfect start as Víctor Cantillo scored the only goal of the game against Peru. And it was enough to put them top of the table as Brazil laboured to a 0-0 draw away to Ecuador.
Matchday 4
Colombia continued their march with a 1-0 win over Bolivia, inflicting their opponents' first defeat this year. It was also 1-0 as Chile struck in the 88th minute against Peru. Paraguay faced Ecuador hoping to get their first points of the campaign, and had the chance to do so with a 71st-minute penalty. However, Alejandro Silva missed, and three minutes later Carlos Rodríguez scored for Ecuador for another 1-0 win. The match between Brazil and Uruguay saw three goals in the first 20 minutes, as Brazil lead 2-1, and that was the way it ended. And finally, Argentina were back to losing ways as Venezuela triumphed 2-1.
Matchday 5
The two undefeated sides met next, and it was a useful start for Brazil as Colombia picked up a 4th-minute red card. Brazil took the lead twice, but each time Juan Guillermo Domínguez hit a fantastic equaliser. However, Brazil eventually pulled away to win 4-2. Similarly, there was a clash between the two winless sides, as Uruguay hosted Paraguay. This was not as exciting, as the hosts ran away easy 3-0 winners. Argentina scored twice in the second half to turn a 1-0 deficit against Ecuador to a 2-1 advantage, but late on Fernando Guerro broke away to earn Ecuador a draw. And there were more goals as Chile and Bolivia shared five set piece goals, with Chile edging 3-2 in front, and Esteban Paredes scored a late non-set piece goal to complete a hat trick and a 4-2 win for Chile. In contrast, Peru vs Venezuela was a dull affair, with the visitors getting the only goal.
From facing the group leaders to the group's lowest-placed team, Argentina next hosted Paraguay, and got off the mark with a 3-1 win. This was also the scoreline as Chile outclassed Venezuela. Bolivia showed some grit to battle back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Uruguay. Colombia continued their perfect start as Víctor Cantillo scored the only goal of the game against Peru. And it was enough to put them top of the table as Brazil laboured to a 0-0 draw away to Ecuador.
Matchday 4
Colombia continued their march with a 1-0 win over Bolivia, inflicting their opponents' first defeat this year. It was also 1-0 as Chile struck in the 88th minute against Peru. Paraguay faced Ecuador hoping to get their first points of the campaign, and had the chance to do so with a 71st-minute penalty. However, Alejandro Silva missed, and three minutes later Carlos Rodríguez scored for Ecuador for another 1-0 win. The match between Brazil and Uruguay saw three goals in the first 20 minutes, as Brazil lead 2-1, and that was the way it ended. And finally, Argentina were back to losing ways as Venezuela triumphed 2-1.
Matchday 5
The two undefeated sides met next, and it was a useful start for Brazil as Colombia picked up a 4th-minute red card. Brazil took the lead twice, but each time Juan Guillermo Domínguez hit a fantastic equaliser. However, Brazil eventually pulled away to win 4-2. Similarly, there was a clash between the two winless sides, as Uruguay hosted Paraguay. This was not as exciting, as the hosts ran away easy 3-0 winners. Argentina scored twice in the second half to turn a 1-0 deficit against Ecuador to a 2-1 advantage, but late on Fernando Guerro broke away to earn Ecuador a draw. And there were more goals as Chile and Bolivia shared five set piece goals, with Chile edging 3-2 in front, and Esteban Paredes scored a late non-set piece goal to complete a hat trick and a 4-2 win for Chile. In contrast, Peru vs Venezuela was a dull affair, with the visitors getting the only goal.
Matchday 6
After five successive defeats, Paraguay were finally off the mark, and it was a great result as they beat Colombia 1-0. This allowed Brazil to open up a lead in the table as they came from behind to beat Chile 2-1. This was also the score as Bolivia beat Peru. Argentina grabbed their second win as they drubbed rivals Uruguay 4-0, whilst Venezuela and Ecuador played out a 1-1.
After five successive defeats, Paraguay were finally off the mark, and it was a great result as they beat Colombia 1-0. This allowed Brazil to open up a lead in the table as they came from behind to beat Chile 2-1. This was also the score as Bolivia beat Peru. Argentina grabbed their second win as they drubbed rivals Uruguay 4-0, whilst Venezuela and Ecuador played out a 1-1.
Matchday 7
Brazil continued their excellent start as they won 2-1 away to Peru... and that was it for this round, as Bolivia vs Venezuela, Chile vs Paraguay, Colombia vs Argentina and Uruguay vs Ecuador all finished goalless. Strange.
Matchday 8
Brazil just look a cut above in this group, as they hammered Bolivia 4-0. They totalled a hugely impressive 37 shots in this game, 18 more than Ecuador managed against Colombia - but they too won 4-0, to continue Colombia's slump in form. There was another convincing win as Argentina beat Chile 3-0. The two bottom sides Paraguay and Peru shared a 1-1 draw, whilst Venezuela and Uruguay played out a scoreless affair.
Brazil continued their excellent start as they won 2-1 away to Peru... and that was it for this round, as Bolivia vs Venezuela, Chile vs Paraguay, Colombia vs Argentina and Uruguay vs Ecuador all finished goalless. Strange.
Matchday 8
Brazil just look a cut above in this group, as they hammered Bolivia 4-0. They totalled a hugely impressive 37 shots in this game, 18 more than Ecuador managed against Colombia - but they too won 4-0, to continue Colombia's slump in form. There was another convincing win as Argentina beat Chile 3-0. The two bottom sides Paraguay and Peru shared a 1-1 draw, whilst Venezuela and Uruguay played out a scoreless affair.
So, that's our eight rounds of matches done, and this is the table:
Brazil are running away with it currently. If they just match the teams below them over the next update, they'll be qualified before the final installment.
Below them, there's five teams separated by 2 points. In contrast, the two P sides are at real risk of drifting out of contention.
Next time we're going straight back to Europe, to see who is the second team to qualify. France will be heavy favourites, but will there by any complications?
Below them, there's five teams separated by 2 points. In contrast, the two P sides are at real risk of drifting out of contention.
Next time we're going straight back to Europe, to see who is the second team to qualify. France will be heavy favourites, but will there by any complications?