Defending world champions Argentina had been held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated return, whereas Brazil revived their 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes with a dramatic 2-1 win over Chile on Thursday.
Messi, again in motion after lacking Argentina’s September fixtures because of harm, appeared to place the world champions on the trail to victory, establishing Nicolas Otamendi’s Thirteenth-minute purpose with an excellent free kick in Maturín.
However, Venezuela’s resilient show paid off within the second half when veteran striker Salomon Rondon headed in Yeferson Soteldo’s cross to beat Argentina’s Geronimo Rulli, leveling the match.
Despite the slip-up, Argentina, the 2022 World Cup champions, stay in sturdy rivalry for a spot within the 2026 match, to be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
With the match expanded to 48 groups, the highest six finishers in South America’s 10-team round-robin qualifying competitors will earn a ticket to the finals.
Argentina lead the standings with 19 factors from 9 video games, three factors away from second-placed Colombia, who suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Bolivia in different qualifying motion on Thursday.
While Argentina look poised to qualify comfortably, rivals Brazil proceed to wrestle of their qualifying marketing campaign.
Chile, who’re one place off the underside of the standings, rocked Brazil after simply two minutes when veteran striker Eduardo Vargas steered a looping header over Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson to make it 1-0.
Brazil drew degree in first-half stoppage time after Savinho labored himself into house earlier than crossing for Botafogo ahead Igor Jesus to go dwelling.
The match regarded destined to complete in a draw till the 89th minute, when Brazil substitute Luiz Henrique arrowed in a low shot from the sting of the realm to make it 2-1.
The win strikes Brazil into fourth place within the standings with 13 factors from 9 video games, six factors adrift of leaders Argentina.
Bolivia enhance
Elsewhere Thursday, Bolivia boosted their hopes of a primary World Cup look since 1994 with a gutsy 1-0 win over Colombia in a recreation performed within the skinny air of El Alto, which is located at round 4,150 meters (13,600 ft) above sea degree.
An outstanding particular person purpose from Miguel Terceros handed the Bolivians their fourth victory of qualifying and vaulted them into the automated qualification positions.
Bolivia’s fortunes have taken a dramatic upturn for the reason that staff began enjoying qualifiers in El Alto, which is simply over 500 meters larger than their common dwelling venue of the Estadio Hernando Siles in close by La Paz.
Bolivia opted to maneuver fixtures to El Alto after dropping two out of their opening three dwelling qualifiers in La Paz final yr.
The transfer has paid off, with Thursday’s 1-0 win coming after a 4-0 rout of Venezuela on the identical venue in September.
After claiming a shock 2-1 win away to Chile final month, Bolivia now sit in sixth place within the South American standings with 12 factors from 9 video games.
Terceros’ profitable purpose got here within the 58th minute, with the 20-year-old winger who performs for Brazilian membership Santos slicing in from the precise flank, shimmying previous Colombian defenders Jhon Lucumi and Kevin Castano, and unleashing a left-footed thunderbolt that flew into the highest nook.
Bolivia are degree on factors with Ecuador, who completed the day in fifth place after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Quito.
Source: www.dailysabah.com