Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match … [+] between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
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Colombia V Argentina
A rematch of the 2024 Copa America final sees Colombia host Argentina in what is certainly the most attractive tie in this round of South American World Cup qualifiers. Lionel Messi lifted the trophy for Argentina that day, but an injury he sustained on the field saw him taken off and he has been sidelined ever since.
Colombia are out for revenge, they don’t have to face Messi and they will take on Argentina in the blazing heat of Barranquilla. This match will kick-off at 3.30pm local time on Tuesday, when temperatures could be as high as 90 degrees fahrenheit and humidity will be at 70%. Can the hosts take advantage of the heat?
Both teams are in pretty invincible form, and in the Copa America final in Miami nothing separated them over 90 minutes, with Argentina claiming victory in extra time. Argentina are top of the qualification standings but Colombia remain the only unbeaten side during this campaign, a win for either side on Tuesday would be a fantastic statement.
Ecuador V Peru
Last time out Peru picked up a vital point against Colombia whilst Ecuador lost 1-0 in Brazil. It’s relatively early in this qualifying campaign so both certainly have a chance of reaching the World Cup but Ecuador have way more quality within their ranks and should see off their visitors in this upcoming fixture.
Bottom placed Peru trail Ecaudor, who are sixth, by five points. Ecuador of course started qualifying with a 3 point ban as well. Peru may have picked up back-to-back draws in their last fixtures but a win looks far from imminent because of a real lack of quality up front. Ecuador, on the contrary, boast some of the finest attacking young talent in South America, and a win for hosts ‘La Tri’ would help consolidate their place in the automatic qualification places.
Kendry Paez of Ecuador celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 … [+] Qualifier match between Bolivia and Ecuador at Hernando Siles Stadium on October 12, 2023 in La Paz, Bolivia.
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Chile V Bolivia
This fixture provides an excellent opportunity for one of these sides to lift themselves into a World Cup play-off spot. Chile currently sit ninth in the table, and Bolivia are in eighth, but a win for either nation could take them up to seventh.
Chile have scored just one goal in seven qualifiers. A far cry from a decade ago when they were about to win two consecutive Copa America titles. Bolivia won at home to Venezuela 4-0 on matchday seven, but on this away trip to Chile they won’t have the extortionate advantage of extreme altitude.
This game may well have ‘draw’ written all over it, which would be a fine result for the visitors but another depressing day out for the hosts, who lost 3-0 in Argentina last week.
Players of Chile gather during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Chile at … [+] Estadio Mas Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on September 5, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Venezuela V Uruguay
Venezuela return to action after a harsh defeat in Bolivia, but they have been fantastic this campaign whilst playing on home soil; winning two games and drawing the other. The Copa America quarter finalists won all three group games in the U.S.A this summer and will be licking their lips at the prospect of hosting a Uruguay side that is missing half of its team through bans.
Uruguay are so obviously missing some of their brightest stars; they drew 0-0 at home to Paraguay in their last fixture, having been scoring goals for fun in qualifying up to that point. 2013 is the last time Uruguay won in Venezuela, and rather ominously for the spectator, the last two meetings in the country have ended in goalless draws.
Uruguay’s head coach Argentine Marcelo Bielsa gestures during 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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Paraguay V Brazil
Brazil will hop over the border to face neighbours Paraguay with mixed emotions. Despite beating Ecuador 1-0 at home last week, their own fans weren’t happy with the football on display. Whereas Paraguay will be feeling more positive after they picked up a vital point in Montevideo. This follows a frustrating Copa America campaign in the summer.
At the Copa, Vinicus Junior was the protagonist as Brazil smashed Paraguay 4-1 in a wickedly one-sided group match. A red card on the day didn’t help Paraguay but it did allow for some Brazilian flair to shine; something that has been missing from the five-time World Cup winners performances recently. A similar scoreline might be needed this time around, in order to appease a lot of frustrated Brazilian supporters.
Paraguay are lacking in attack and have failed in their last two big tests in this campaign, against Argentina and Colombia, so Vinicius and Brazil are definitely favourites to pick up another three points this time.
Vinicius Júnior of Brazil celebrates his goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America USA Group Stage match … [+] between Paraguay and Brazil at Allegiant Stadium on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Publish date : 2024-09-09 00:46:00
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