South American qualifying is a huge beast, with 18 rounds of matches to be played. We've already got through 16, and this is how things stand:
Brazil are already qualified, whilst Chile are on the brink. Uruguay are long gone, but the remaining 7 teams have just 5 points between them.
Today we cover the remaining two rounds of fixtures to see which three teams will join Brazil, and which team will join Honduras in the Intercontinental Play-Off...
Matchday 17
Chile vs Argentina
Chile could secure qualification here with a win, and they bad much the better of this clash, but they couldn't find a breakthrough. Neither could Argentina, and a 0-0 draw left Chile's fate in the balance going into the final game.
Today we cover the remaining two rounds of fixtures to see which three teams will join Brazil, and which team will join Honduras in the Intercontinental Play-Off...
Matchday 17
Chile vs Argentina
Chile could secure qualification here with a win, and they bad much the better of this clash, but they couldn't find a breakthrough. Neither could Argentina, and a 0-0 draw left Chile's fate in the balance going into the final game.
Bolivia vs Brazil
Bolivia may be in 3rd, but it carries the caveat that they need to face the top side Brazil. However, Fernando Saucedo gave Bolivia the lead with a good volley, and Bolivia held the lead until the break. But just seconds into the second half, Everton equalised with a solo goal, and a few minutes later Paolo Guerrero's header put Brazil ahead. Guerrero added a penalty, and Brazil claimed a 3-1 victory.
Bolivia may be in 3rd, but it carries the caveat that they need to face the top side Brazil. However, Fernando Saucedo gave Bolivia the lead with a good volley, and Bolivia held the lead until the break. But just seconds into the second half, Everton equalised with a solo goal, and a few minutes later Paolo Guerrero's header put Brazil ahead. Guerrero added a penalty, and Brazil claimed a 3-1 victory.
Colombia vs Ecuador
With these two sides both sat just outside the play-off spot, there's a chance that whoever loses will be eliminated. That looked to be Ecuador as Aldo Leao Ramírez headed Mati Fernández's free kick to put Colombia ahead, but Ely Esterilla had Ecuador level before the half hour mark. In the 57th minute another Fernández free kick caused Ecuador problems, and again it was Ramírez who poked it in. A long ball from Colombian keeper Fernando Monetti went straight over Ecuador's defence, and Teófilo Gutiérrez scurried through to wrap up a 3-1 win.
With these two sides both sat just outside the play-off spot, there's a chance that whoever loses will be eliminated. That looked to be Ecuador as Aldo Leao Ramírez headed Mati Fernández's free kick to put Colombia ahead, but Ely Esterilla had Ecuador level before the half hour mark. In the 57th minute another Fernández free kick caused Ecuador problems, and again it was Ramírez who poked it in. A long ball from Colombian keeper Fernando Monetti went straight over Ecuador's defence, and Teófilo Gutiérrez scurried through to wrap up a 3-1 win.
Peru vs Paraguay
These two teams had big resurgences last time, but couldn't sustain them. This sees them in a similar position to the teams in the previous match, loitering around outside the top 5, desperately needing a win here. Paraguay took a 5th-minute lead as former Athletic Bilbao and Fulham man Fernando Amorebieta headed in a Federico Carrizo free kick. Carrizo then scored a free kick direct into the Peruvian top corner, and they held on for a crucial 2-0 win.
These two teams had big resurgences last time, but couldn't sustain them. This sees them in a similar position to the teams in the previous match, loitering around outside the top 5, desperately needing a win here. Paraguay took a 5th-minute lead as former Athletic Bilbao and Fulham man Fernando Amorebieta headed in a Federico Carrizo free kick. Carrizo then scored a free kick direct into the Peruvian top corner, and they held on for a crucial 2-0 win.
Uruguay vs Venezuela
Whilst eliminated, Uruguay can still wreck other teams' chances, and that's what Uruguay looked like doing, as Mariano Pavone scored in the 86th minute. However, less than 2 minutes later, and José Velázquez headed in from a free kick (apparently the theme of this round of games) to earn Venezuela a 1-1 draw.
Whilst eliminated, Uruguay can still wreck other teams' chances, and that's what Uruguay looked like doing, as Mariano Pavone scored in the 86th minute. However, less than 2 minutes later, and José Velázquez headed in from a free kick (apparently the theme of this round of games) to earn Venezuela a 1-1 draw.
This is how the table is after that round of games:
Colombia being one of only three teams to win sees them move into the qualification spots, with Venezuela now at risk of elimination. Peru are now confirmed out, whilst Bolivia slip into a play-off spot. Who's going to make it in the final round of games? Let's see...
Matchday 18
Matchday 18
Ecuador vs Chile
Second attempt for Chile to earn their qualification. This time they simply need a point against Ecuador. Ecuador's Cristian Pellerano missed a chance to put his side ahead from the spot in the 66th minute, and within a minute Chile had taken full advantage, as Luciano Aued drilled a powerful shot in from range, and Esteban Paredes' header wrapped up a 2-0 win. Not only does it secure Chile's qualification, but it also gets their goal difference out of the red.
Second attempt for Chile to earn their qualification. This time they simply need a point against Ecuador. Ecuador's Cristian Pellerano missed a chance to put his side ahead from the spot in the 66th minute, and within a minute Chile had taken full advantage, as Luciano Aued drilled a powerful shot in from range, and Esteban Paredes' header wrapped up a 2-0 win. Not only does it secure Chile's qualification, but it also gets their goal difference out of the red.
Argentina vs Peru
Given Argentina's goal difference, any win would effectively confirm their qualification. They were indebted to goalkeeper Armani, who produced some fine saves as both teams had several early chances. Peru went extremely close to going ahead as Christofer González's shot hit the inside of the post and travelled along the goal line, but somehow neither team found a goal and it finished 0-0. Argentina are now at the mercy of the teams below them.
Given Argentina's goal difference, any win would effectively confirm their qualification. They were indebted to goalkeeper Armani, who produced some fine saves as both teams had several early chances. Peru went extremely close to going ahead as Christofer González's shot hit the inside of the post and travelled along the goal line, but somehow neither team found a goal and it finished 0-0. Argentina are now at the mercy of the teams below them.
Uruguay vs Colombia
Colombia could earn their qualification with a win, and they got off to a fine start as Gutiérrez put them ahead with a 2nd-minute penalty. He had a second by the 6th minute with a fine shot from the edge of the box, and a tap-in gave him a hat-trick 12 minutes later. Ramírez added another before Cristian Rodríguez got one back just before half time. Rodríguez got another from the spot, but couldn't prevent a miserable campaign ending on a 4-2 defeat.
Colombia could earn their qualification with a win, and they got off to a fine start as Gutiérrez put them ahead with a 2nd-minute penalty. He had a second by the 6th minute with a fine shot from the edge of the box, and a tap-in gave him a hat-trick 12 minutes later. Ramírez added another before Cristian Rodríguez got one back just before half time. Rodríguez got another from the spot, but couldn't prevent a miserable campaign ending on a 4-2 defeat.
Paraguay vs Bolivia
Bolivia had the chance to overtake Argentina and move into the qualification spots, whilst Paraguay could potentially move into the play-off spot, depending on Venezuela's result. In order to do so, both teams needed a win. Bolivia had all the decent chances, but none of them were clear-cut, and we ended with a 0-0 draw that leaves Bolivia hanging precariously in the play-off spot.
Bolivia had the chance to overtake Argentina and move into the qualification spots, whilst Paraguay could potentially move into the play-off spot, depending on Venezuela's result. In order to do so, both teams needed a win. Bolivia had all the decent chances, but none of them were clear-cut, and we ended with a 0-0 draw that leaves Bolivia hanging precariously in the play-off spot.
Brazil vs Venezuela
With a win, Venezuela would move into 4th, pushing Argentina into the play-offs and eliminating Bolivia. But in order to do so, they need to beat Brazil away. Aquiles Ocanto nearly opened the scoring with a great strike, but Brazil's keeper Santos produced a fantastic save to keep it level. Brazil came back strongly, but Venezuela rode out the storm. Brazil's Dudu had a big chance in the final few minutes, but Mario Santilli denied him to secure a clean sheet. However, a lack of goals at the other end meant that Venezuela were eliminated by a 0-0 draw, and Argentina's progress is confirmed!
With a win, Venezuela would move into 4th, pushing Argentina into the play-offs and eliminating Bolivia. But in order to do so, they need to beat Brazil away. Aquiles Ocanto nearly opened the scoring with a great strike, but Brazil's keeper Santos produced a fantastic save to keep it level. Brazil came back strongly, but Venezuela rode out the storm. Brazil's Dudu had a big chance in the final few minutes, but Mario Santilli denied him to secure a clean sheet. However, a lack of goals at the other end meant that Venezuela were eliminated by a 0-0 draw, and Argentina's progress is confirmed!
Here's the final table:
How ludicrously tight. Those four in 4th-7th in the table were a single goal away from a completely different outcome. But it's Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Argentina who progress.
Bolivia will represent South American in the Intercontinental Play-Off. Both times we've had the ICPO the South American side has progressed (Colombia in 2018, Venezuela in 2019), so Bolivia will be hopeful of getting to their first World Cup, Draft or actual.
Next time we finally wrap up regular qualifying in Europe. Italy are the favourites in the final group, can Switzerland challenge them?
Bolivia will represent South American in the Intercontinental Play-Off. Both times we've had the ICPO the South American side has progressed (Colombia in 2018, Venezuela in 2019), so Bolivia will be hopeful of getting to their first World Cup, Draft or actual.
Next time we finally wrap up regular qualifying in Europe. Italy are the favourites in the final group, can Switzerland challenge them?