Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South … [+] American qualification football match between Peru and Argentina.
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Uruguay 2-0 Brazil: History in Montevideo
It was another special night in the epic football rivalry that is Uruguay V Brazil. Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez inspired the hosts to a famous victory with a goal and an assist in what was a menacing performance from the forward. It is the first time Uruguay have defeated Brazil since 2001.
Another big story on the night was the early exit of Brazil superstar Neymar. A man whose entire career has been plagued by injuries had to leave the field in tears once again. Neymar’s teammates failed to threaten Uruguay in his absence.
Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to show legends like Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani the cold shoulder for this campaign is being proved a great decision with every passing game. Núñez has taken up the mantle and more. He was a nuisance for Arsenal defender Gabriel last night, and his output in qualifying is now two goals and two assists in four games.
Brazil and Uruguay both have seven points and are on course to qualify if they can keep up this form, but for Brazil two bad results on the bounce spells a media storm. However for Uruguay buoyant displays suggest a bright future ahead for this quality young team.
Nicolas de la Cruz of Uruguay celebrates with teammate Darwin Nuñez after scoring the team’s second … [+] goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Uruguay and Brazil.
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Peru 0-2 Argentina: Magical Messi
Argentina turned on the style last night in Lima to make it four wins from four in qualifying, and guess who popped up with the goals?
36 year old Lionel Messi was in inspired form for the World Champions. Messi scored two fantastic goals and perhaps should have ended up with three or four. Messi was provided with cut-back passes from the left flank for both goals and finished them expertly, his favourite type of finish.
Peru did manage to cause a bit of chaos in the Argentina box but it was only too sporadically and without any end product. Argentina haven’t lost a game since their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia and since then they have gone from strength to strength.
Messi looked youthful and bright against Peru, and Argentina looked as unified and solid as ever. They are still 100% in qualifying and haven’t conceded a goal. If they can keep up this form they will be massive favourites to lift the Copa America trophy next summer.
A pitch invader rushes into Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South … [+] American qualification football match between Peru and Argentina at the National Stadium in Lima.
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Venezuela 3-0 Chile: El Que No Salte No Es Venezolano
Venezuela fans cannot believe what is happening in front of their eyes. In the qualifying campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup they picked up just 10 points from 18 games and finished last in the CONMEBOL qualifying table.
Yet, after just four matches of this campaign they have picked up seven points and sit in the automatic qualifying spaces for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
El Que No Salte No Es Venezolano translates to “He who doesn’t jump isn’t Venezuelan.” This tribal message adorns a giant banner in the Monumental de Maturín stadium and it’s fair to say the place was jumping yesterday after their emphatic result against Chile.
Chile started the game well and struck the crossbar at 0-0. Alexis Sanchez also came close from distance, but as the tie opened up Venezuela looked more and more dangerous. Santos’ tricky winger Yeferson Soteldo traumatised the Chile defence. The number 10 opened the scoring with a fine finish and later provided a wonderful assist.
Chile didn’t help themselves either, at 1-0 down Norwich City player Marcelino Núñez picked up two yellow cards in just seconds. One for a clear foul and another for prodding the referee in the chest rather forcefully instead of accepting his decision, it was a clear sending off. With this result Venezuela are flying and Chile drop out of the qualification places.
Venezuela’s fans celebrate after the victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualification … [+] football match between Venezuela and Chile at the Monumental Stadium in Maturin.
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Paraguay 1-0 Bolivia: Relief in Paraguay
In what felt like a must win game for hosts Paraguay Newcastle’s Miguel Almirón stepped up to the plate and played a vital role in their 1-0 victory over Bolivia.
After waves of Paraguay attack Almirón had seen both a fine goal and assist disallowed. The hosts weren’t disheartened though, as Bolivia looked all over the place at the back. If it wasn’t for their goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra’s six saves the scoreline might have been a lot uglier.
Tempers flared in the first period when Paraguay’s Ramón Sosa went off with an ankle injury but Bolivia offered little more than handbags for the full 90 minutes and had no shots on target.
Bolivia are rooted to the foot of the table and remain the only team with no points on the board after four games, meanwhile a first victory for Paraguay will give them great confidence that they can stay in the mix for qualification.
Jose Sagredo of Bolivia scuffles with Matias Espinoza of Paraguay during the FIFA World Cup 2026 … [+] Qualifier match between Paraguay and Bolivia.
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Ecuador 0-0 Colombia: Deadlock in Quito
This goaless draw was a disappointing result for the neutral in a tie between two of the continent’s most exciting teams, but the game wasn’t devoid of action.
Striker Kevin Rodriguez smashed the woodwork for Ecuador early on with a fantastic strike. The home side had a starting team with an average age of just 24.1 years. They played two forwards and an attacking midfield line-up but couldn’t get past Colombia’s defence.
There was five minutes of madness at the other end of the pitch too though. Just after half-time Liverpool’s Luis Díaz bursted into life with some trademark trickery. His fine pass in behind the Ecuador defence led to a Colombia penalty but Díaz himself failed to convert from 12 yards. Moments later Colombia had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside.
In the end both teams will be relatively pleased with that battle and the valuable point that they will take away from it. They are both on the right path to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and have no reasons to doubt their ability.
Colombia’s forward Luis Diaz reacts after missing a penalty shot during the 2026 FIFA World Cup … [+] South American qualification football match between Ecuador and Colombia.
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The South American qualifiers have not let us down yet. Four mad matchdays have seen Brazil humbled, Venezuela and Uruguay galvanised and Messi in scintillating form.
The colour and drama of CONMEBOL qualifying is unrivalled and we are not even a quarter of the way through the rollercoaster ride that is this campaign. The South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers will return in November with ties as tantalising as Brazil V Argentina. Stay tuned.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 10: Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball against Marquinhos … [+] (L), Fred (C) and Lucas Paqueta of Brazil (R) during the final of Copa America Brazil 2021.
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Publish date : 2023-10-18 03:00:00
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