Paulo Dybala of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup … [+] 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Chile at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on September 05, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Argentina 3-0 Chile
World Champions Argentina paraded the 2024 Copa America trophy around the Estadio Mâs Monumental on Thursday night, after thrashing neighbours Chile in an easy 3-0 win. On a night where Lionel Messi was missing through injury and Ángel Di María was honoured in retirement, Argentina’s other superstars scored three second half goals to make it six wins from seven in World Cup qualifying, and extend their lead in the league table to four points.
Despite going into the halfway point level and even striking the post after 45 minutes, Chile were no match for the hosts. Alexis Mac Allister soon broke the deadlock by finishing off a fine team move early in the second half. Julián Alvarez would add a second in the ground he used to call home, and Paulo Dybala would finish off the night with a strike of his own. The man who missed this summer’s Copa wore the famous number 10 jersey as he put the cherry on top of another Argentina victory.
Bolivia 4-0 Venezuela
This rather eye-catching scoreline represents the fact that Bolivia have added an extra layer to their home advantage, or literally; another 550 metres.
Bolivia have gone to new heights by moving from La Paz, 3,600 meters above sea level, to the aptly named ‘El Alto’ 4,150 metres above sea level. This means that even the very top teams will now fear this demanding away day, even more. In their first game at the Estadio Villa Ingenio Bolivia blew away Venezuela, breaking an impressive run of form for the visitors.
Ramiro Vaca opened the scoring for the hosts with an absolute screamer from outside the box and ‘La Verde’ wouldn’t look back, going on to record an impressive 4-0 victory. That result is a vital second win of the campaign for Bolivia, who will need to take advantage of their new home surroundings if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Bolivia’s forward Ramiro Vaca (C) celebrates with teammates midfielder Lucas Chavez (L) and … [+] midfielder Robson Matheus after scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Bolivia and Venezuela, at the Municipal stadium, in El Alto, Bolivia, on September 5, 2024.
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Peru 1-1 Colombia
Colombia started brightly in a game that they should have won, however given the fact that they were 1-0 down with 10 minutes remaining, it wasn’t a bad point on the road. It’s definitely a positive score for Peru who have been atrocious up to this point, but perhaps now have they have the result they need to turn their campaign around.
The home side went ahead in the second half when defender Alexander Callens met a cross towards the back post. It was the first competitive goal for Peru since November 2023. Luis Diaz would tie the game for Colombia late on though, a similar back post finish from a flick on meant that Colombia would extend their run as the only unbeaten team in qualifying. They now sit in third place just a point behind Uruguay.
Luis Diaz of Colombia celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between … [+] Peru and Colombia at Estadio Nacional on September 6, 2024 in Lima, Peru.
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Uruguay 0-0 Paraguay
This encounter wasn’t as drab as the scoreline might suggest. A struggling Paraguay took on a Uruguay team in Montevideo that were without various senior players because of a ban after violence at the Copa America semifinal. This meant that the retiring Luis Suárez would start his last game in Montevideo, and he almost put the hosts 1-0 up with a fabulous strike that hit the woodwork.
The visitors looked likely in the first period too. Brighton’s Julio Enciso was probing and Uruguay had a few uncertain moments at the back. Then, in the second half it would be Paraguay who struck the frame of the goal and squandered other opportunities. This goalless draw leaves Uruguay second in the table and Paraguay in seventh place with a play-off spot, for now.
After the game an emotional Suárez and the Montevideo crowd were treated to a highlight reel of all 69 Uruguay goals he scored on the big screen. The Uruguay all-time top scorer was accompanied on the pitch by his family and the gleaming Copa America trophy that he helped to lift in 2011 on what was an emotional farewell to won of South America’s best ever footballers.
Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez and his family stand next to a replica of the Copa America trophy … [+] during his farewell ceremony to the national team after the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Uruguay and Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on September 6, 2024.
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Brazil 1-0 Ecuador
Neymar Junior made headlines this week for calling Real Madrid’s Rodrygo one of the top five best players in the world, and it was Rodrygo who made the difference for Brazil in this vital victory over Ecuador, ending a run of three defeats in qualifying. Rodrygo’s strike took a big deflection but Brazil won’t mind as they were desperate for a positive result after a poor Copa America.
Chances were limited during the second half in Curitiba and upon the final whistle it was clear that there were mixed emotions coming from the home ground. Yes Brazil had won the game but it wasn’t particularly exciting, nor was it a massively improved performance. Brazil move up to fourth in the rankings with that victory while Ecuador now sit two points and two places behind them in sixth.
Rodrygo Goes (L)of Brazil celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match during the FIFA World … [+] Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Ecuador at Couto Pereira Stadium on September 6, 2024 in Curitiba, Brazil.
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Publish date : 2024-09-06 21:32:00
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