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FIFA World Cup 2022™ – News – LIVE: World Cup qualifying in South America
Peru 0-2 Argentina
After Lautaro Martinez had threatened the Peruvian goal, Nicolas Gonzalez broke the deadlock on 16 minutes, receiving a Giovani Lo Celso pass, slipping his marker and firing it home.
Martinez made it 2-0 to Argentina after 27 minutes. Rodrigo De Paul did superbly to send the Inter Milan striker through on goal, and the latter rounded goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and slipped it into the empty net.
Lionel Messi was heavily involved at the start of the second half. One exquisite pass was just cut out before it landed at Martinez’s feet, before ‘The Atomic Flea’ produced a brilliant play and thought he’d won a penalty, only for the referee to wave away his protests. Messi’s close-range strike was then blocked out for a corner.
The Argentina No10 then burst through from midfield, side-stepped the last defender but pulled his low strike narrowly wide.
Did you know?
- Lionel Messi made his 142nd Argentina appearance and equals Cafu as South America’s fifth most-capped international behind Javier Zanetti (143), Javier Mascherano (147), Paulo da Silva (148) and Ivan Hurtado (168).
- Martinez has now scored 11 goals in 21 internationals.
- Peru have faced Lionel Messi five times in World Cup qualifying and, surprisingly, prevented him scoring on every occasion.
- Gianluca Lapadula, who scored a hat-trick on his solitary outing for Italy B and was a non-playing member of the Azzurri squad for a Russia 2018 qualifier, made his Peru debut against Chile, becoming the first Italy-born player to appear in South American qualifying.
- Argentina have not lost any match away to Peru in 35 years. Juan Carlos Oblitas secured La Blanquirroja a defeat of La Albiceleste in a Mexico 1986 preliminary. It left Peru requiring victory in Buenos Aires to reach their fourth World Cup in five attempts, and they were nine minutes away from getting it until Ricardo Gareca bundled home an equaliser to snatch Argentina a ticket to the finals. ‘El Tigre’ was duly left out of the Argentinians’ squad, and they went on to become champions at the Azteca.
World Cup qualifying head-to-head record:
9 Argentina wins; 7 draws; 2 Peru wins
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Xavier Arreaga of Ecuador celebrates after scoring
17 Nov 2020
QUITO, ECUADOR – NOVEMBER 17: Xavier Arreaga of Ecuador celebrates after scoring the fourth goal of his team during a match between Ecuador and Colombia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Quito, Ecuador. (Photo by Rodrigo Buendia-Pool/Getty Images)
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Michael Estrada of Ecuador celebrates after scoring the third goal – Ecuador v Colombia – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
QUITO, ECUADOR – NOVEMBER 17: Michael Estrada of Ecuador celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during a match between Ecuador and Colombia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Quito, Ecuador. (Photo by Rodrigo Buendia-Pool/Getty Images)
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Robert Arboleda of Ecuador celebrates scoring the first goal – Ecuador v Colombia – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
QUITO, ECUADOR – NOVEMBER 17: Robert Arboleda of Ecuador celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team with teammates during a match between Ecuador and Colombia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Quito, Ecuador. (Photo by Rodrigo Buendia-Pool/Getty Images)
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Robert Arboleda of Ecuador celebrates after scoring the first goal – Ecuador v Colombia – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
QUITO, ECUADOR – NOVEMBER 17: Robert Arboleda of Ecuador celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Ecuador and Colombia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Quito, Ecuador. (Photo by Rodrigo Buendia-Pool/Getty Images)
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Luis Mago of Venezuela celebrates – Venezuela v Chile – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: Luis Mago of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Federico Parra – Pool/Getty Images)
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Arturo Vidal of Chile celebrates after scoring – Venezuela v Chile – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: Arturo Vidal of Chile celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Miguel Gutierrez – Pool/Getty Images)
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Luis Mago of Venezuela celebrates with teammates – Venezuela v Chile – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: Luis Mago of Venezuela celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)
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Arturo Vidal (L) of Chile argues with Wilker Angel (R) of Venezuela during a match between Venezuela and Chile
18 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: Arturo Vidal (L) of Chile argues with Wilker Ãngel (R) of Venezuela during a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)
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César Pinares of Chile reacts on the pitch after being injured – Venezuela v Chile – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: César Pinares of Chile reacts on the pitch after being injured during a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Miguel Gutierrez – Pool/Getty Images)
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Salomón Rondón of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team – Venezuela v Chile – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: Salomón Rondón of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Miguel Gutierrez – Pool/Getty Images)
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Salomon Rondon of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the second goal
18 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: Salomón Rondón of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)
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Players of Venezuela celebrate after defeating Chile in World Cup qualifying
18 Nov 2020
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – NOVEMBER 17: Players of Venezuela celebrate after winning a match between Venezuela and Chile as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio OlÃmpico on November 17, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)
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Tite head coach of Brazil greets Oscar Tabarez head coach of Uruguay – Uruguay v Brazil – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Tite head coach of Brazil greets Oscar Tabarez head coach of Uruguay before a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Raúl MartÃnez-Pool/Getty Images)
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Renan Lodi, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino of Brazil enter the field before their World Cup qualifier in Uruguay
17 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Renan Lodi, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino of Brazil enter the field before a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Raul Martinez-Pool/Getty Images)
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Renan Lodi of Brazil fights for the ball with Edinson Cavani of Uruguay during a World Cup qualifier
17 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Renan Lodi of Brazil fights for the ball with Edinson Cavani of Uruguay during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Matilde Campodonico – Pool/Getty Images)
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Arthur of Brazil celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier
17 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Arthur of Brazil celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of their team during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Raul Martinez-Pool/Getty Images)
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Richarlison of Brazil celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Richarlison of Brazil celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of their team during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Raull Martinez-Pool/Getty Images)
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Richarlison of Brazil runs for the ball during a match between Uruguay and Brazil – Uruguay v Brazil – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
17 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Richarlison of Brazil runs for the ball during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Raúl MartÃnez-Pool/Getty Images)
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Uruguay v Brazil – South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
18 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Danilo of Brazil runs for the ball with Darwin Nuñez of Uruguay during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Raúl MartÃnez-Pool/Getty Images)
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Edinson Cavani of Uruguay argues with referee Roberto Tobar after being sent off against Brazil in their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Edinson Cavani of Uruguay argues with Referee Roberto Tobar after being expelled during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Raul Martinez-Pool/Getty Images)
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Nahitan Nandez of Uruguay fights for the ball with Renan Lodi of Brazil during their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Nahitan Nandez of Uruguay fights for the ball with Renan Lodi of Brazil during a match between Uruguay and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Centenario Stadium on November 17, 2020 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Matilde Campodonico – Pool/Getty Images)
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Players of Bolivia and Paraguay stand during the national anthem before their World Cup qualifier
17 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Players of Bolivia and Paraguay stand during the national anthem before a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Angel Romero of Paraguay converts a penalty to open the scoring against Bolivia
17 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Ãngel Romero of Paraguay kicks a penalty to score the first goal of his team during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Angel Romero of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the first goal
17 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Ãngel Romero of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Marcelo Martins (R) of Bolivia celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team’s first goal
18 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Marcelo Martins (R) of Bolivia celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Marcelo Martins (C) of Bolivia celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team’s first goal
18 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Marcelo Martins (C) of Bolivia celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Boris Cespedes (L) of Bolivia celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team’s second goal
18 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Boris Cespedes (L) of Bolivia celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Kaku of Paraguay celebrates after scoring
18 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Alejandro Romero Gamarra of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Erwin Saavedra of Bolivia competes for the ball with Gaston Giminez of Paraguay
18 Nov 2020
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 17: Erwin Saavedra of Bolivia competes for the ball with Gastón Giménez of Paraguay during a match between Paraguay and Bolivia as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 17, 2020 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina warms up prior to a match between Peru and Argentina
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Lionel Messi of Argentina warms up prior to a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
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Players of Argentina and Peru stand during the national anthem
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Players of Argentina and Peru stand during the national anthem before a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Ernesto Benavides – Pool/Getty Images)
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Nicolas Gonzalez of Argentina (C) celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Peru in their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Nicolas Gonzalez of Argentina (C) celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team with teammates during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
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Yoshimar Yotun of Peru vies for the ball with Lautaro Martinez of Argentina
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Yoshimar Yotún of Peru fights for the ball with Lautaro MartÃnez of Argentina during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
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Nicolas Gonzalez of Argentina celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Peru in their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Nicolas Gonzalez of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Ernesto Benavides – Pool/Getty Images)
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Nicolas Gonzalez of Argentina scores the first goal against Peru in their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Nicolas Gonzalez of Argentina scores the first goal of his team during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
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Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates after scoring against Peru in their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina gestures during the Word Cup qualifier against Peru
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Lionel Messi of Argentina gestures during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Ernesto Benavides – Pool/Getty Images)
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Leandro Paredes of Argentina kicks the ball against Pedro Aquino of Peru in their World Cup qualifier
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Leandro Paredes of Argentina kicks the ball against Pedro Aquino of Peru during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi of Argentina (C) looks on during the World Cup qualifier against Peru
18 Nov 2020
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 17: Lionel Messi of Argentina (C) looks on during a match between Peru and Argentina as part of South American Qualifiers for World Cup FIFA Qatar 2022 at Estadio Nacional de Lima on November 17, 2020 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
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Uruguay 0-2 Brazil
Arthur and Richarlison got the goals as Brazil won 2-0 in Uruguay to make it 12 points from a possible 12 in Qatar 2022 qualifying. Uruguay remain on six points and are set to lose Edinson Cavani to suspension after he was sent off in the second half for a stamp on Richarlison.
Darwin Nunez smashed Ederson’s bar as La Celeste made a fast start, but A Seleção took command as the half wore on and got their reward after 34 minutes. Following fine work from Danilo and Gabriel Jesus, Arthur, only playing because Allan wasn’t fully fit, found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Tite’s troops were 2-0 up before the break, a superb Renan Lodi cross firmly headed into the bottom corner by Richarlison.
Gabriel Jesus tormented the opposition defence in the second half, but Brazil couldn’t amplify their advantage. The frustrated Uruguayans, for their part, picked up a series of yellow cards and a red that could cost them dearly.
Did you know?
- Arthur scored his first goal for Brazil in what was his 21st appearance.
- Thiago Silva made his 93rd international appearance to tie Gilberto Silva as Brazil’s 12th most-capped player.
- Brazil are unbeaten in World Cup qualifying since Tite took charge in 2016, winning 14 and drawing two of 16 games, scoring 42 goals and conceding just five in the process.
- Oscar Tabarez has never tasted victory against Brazil since taking the Uruguay reins, losing seven and drawing two.
Quotes
Thiago Silva: “We’re delighted. We were without some key players – and our key player, Neymar – but we managed to put in a very good performance and win. It’s always tough to beat Uruguay. Even though they were without Suarez, an outstanding striker, we’re very pleased to keep another clean sheet. I believe you need to be solid defensively to win titles.”
Richarlison on his goal: “That’s not my position. My position is to attack the first post, but I happened to score a goal like that in training and I said to myself, ‘If it worked in training, this is what I’m going to do.’”
World Cup qualifying head-to-head record:
5 Brazil wins; 5 draws; 1 Uruguay win
Paraguay 2-2 Bolivia
Bolivia eked out a 2-2 draw in Asuncion to get their first point in Qatar 2022 qualifying and wound Paraguay’s hopes. La Albirroja dominated the game but were unable to take their chances.
Angel Romero won and converted an 19th-minute penalty to put Paraguay ahead, and almost doubled the lead moments later.
However, Bolivia scored twice shortly before half-time, through Marcelo Martins and Boris Cespedes, to go in ahead.
Paraguay threw everything at their visitors in the second half. After having one goal disallowed, Kaku equalised but they were unable to find a winner and will be disappointed, despite remaining unbeaten, to only be on six points after four rounds.
Did you know?
- Bolivia avoided defeat in a World Cup qualifier away to Paraguay for the first time at the tenth attempt.
- Marcelo Martins became Bolivia’s outright-record, 21-goal marksman, outranking Joaquin Botero.
- Juan Carlos Arce netted his 12th international goal last time out. The 35-year-old requires one more to go joint-seventh on Bolivia’s all-time leading marksmen alongside two national legends: Maximo Alcocer and Marco Etcheverry.
World Cup qualifying head-to-head record:
10 Paraguay wins; 5 Bolivia wins; 4 draws
Ecuador 6-1 Colombia
Ecuador produced a blistering first-half performance en route to a 6-1 victory over Colombia that powered them on to nine points from the first four rounds. Their opponents, meanwhile, remained on four and are now nursing back-to-back defeats in which they’ve conceded nine goals.
Robert Arboleda, Angel Mena, Michael Estrada and Xavier Arreaga – aided by a series of defensive errors – had La Tri 4-0 up inside 40 minutes, and Cafeteros coach Carlos Queiroz reacted by making four substitutions before half-time. Colombia did pull one back before the break, Duvan Zapata winning a penalty which James Rodriguez stroked home off the inside of the post.
The 29-year-old Everton playmaker did his best to cut the deficit even further at the start of the second half, but Colombia continued making defensive errors, with Estrada failing to capitalise on one. The Toluca forward did have the ball in the net after 74 minutes, but it was ruled offside.
Gonzalo Plata made it 5-1 in fine style and though he collected a second yellow card for his goal celebration, it failed to stop Ecuador amplifying the victory through Pervis Estupinan. A magical international break for Gustavo Alfaro’s side was complete.
Did you know?
- Ecuador equalled their biggest-ever victory in World Cup qualifying. A hat-trick from Eduardo ‘The Tank’ Hurtado inspired a 5-0 thumping of Venezuela in 1993.
- Ecuador smashed their record victory over Colombia in World Cup quaifying. They had never previously won by more than two goals.
- La Tri ended a four-game losing run against Los Cafeteros in all matches.
- Arboleda’s goal was his first for Ecuador in almost four years.
- Two goals was the most Ecuador had previously ever scored in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia – a figure they took less than 40 minutes to double.
- In his 80th international, Rodriguez scored his 23rd goal, leavng him just two shy of second-placed Arnoldo Iguaran on Colombia’s all-time leading marksmen.
- Ten yellow cards were handed out.
- Last month, in a 4-2 victory over Uruguay, at the age of 18 years and 347 days, Moises Caicedo became the first player born in the 21st century to score in World Cup qualifying. It made the midfielder the fifth-youngest player in history to score in the South American qualifiers and the youngest Ecuadorian, breaking Antonio Valencia’s record.
Quotes
Gustavo Alfaro: “Ecuador have so many players with great potential. I have a squad with sufficient pedigree to match any national team around.”
Michael Estrada: “We knew that Colombia were dejected because of what happened in Uruguay. We capitalised with our fast-paced game and got the victory.”
World Cup qualifying head-to-head record:
8 Colombia wins; 6 draws; 5 Ecuador wins
Venezuela 2-1 Chile
Salomon Rondon headed home a late winner against Chile to get Venezuela their first points on the board in Qatar 2022 qualifying. La Vinotinto had the best of a first half that finished 1-1, but La Roja had been looking the more likely to grab victory when the 31-year-old turned in an excellent Yeferson Soteldo cross.
Darwin Machis was involved in everything in the early stages, and he helped set up the opener for Luis Mago. The in-form Arturo Vidal quickly equalised, but Chile will have been relieved to go in at the interval all square.
Reinaldo Rueda’s charges were much better in the second half, with Alexis Sanchez producing some breathtaking touches, but ultimately were caught on the break and remain on four points from four outings.
Did you know?
- Vidal went joint-top of the scoring chart in South American qualifying alongside Luis Suarez (see full leaderboard below).
- The 33-year-old midfielder moved on to 32 international goals, leaving him just two behind fourth-placed Ivan Zamorano on Chile’s list of all-time leading scorers.
- Twenty-six caps is what Wuilker Farinez reached today at the age of just 22 – an incredibly rare occurrence for a goalkeeper. He stands at just 1.75m tall – again very unusual for a player of his position – and became the first goalkeeper to score at a FIFA U-20 World Cup™ at Korea Republic 2017.
- It was Venezuela’s first-ever home win over Chile in World Cup qualifying.
World Cup qualifying head-to-head record:
11 Chile wins; 2 draws; 2 Venezuela wins
Leading all-time scorers in CONMEBOL qualifying
| Player | Country | Goals | Games | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Suarez | Uruguay | 25 | 51 | 0.49 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 22 | 49 | 0.45 |
| Hernan Crespo | Argentina | 19 | 33 | 0.58 |
| Marcelo Salas | Chile | 18 | 32 | 0.56 |
| Ivan Zamorano | Chile | 17 | 24 | 0.71 |
World Cup participations
| Participations | Country | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Brazil | Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) |
| 17 | Argentina | Winners (1978, 1986) |
| 13 | Uruguay | Winners (1930, 1950) |
| 9 | Chile | Third (1962) |
| 8 | Paraguay | Quarter-finals (2010) |
| 6 | Colombia | Quarter-finals (2014) |
| 5 | Peru | Quarter-finals (1970), second group stage (1978) |
| 3 | Bolivia | Group stage (1930, 1950, 1994) |
| 3 | Ecuador | Round of 16 (2006) |
| 0 | Venezuela | N/A |
South America’s top international scorers
| Player | Country | Goals | Games | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pele | Brazil | 77 | 91 | 0.85 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 71 | 142 | 0.50 |
| Neymar | Brazil | 64 | 103 | 0.62 |
| Luis Suarez | Uruguay | 63 | 116 | 0.54 |
| Ronaldo | Brazil | 62 | 98 | 0.63 |
| Romario | Brazil | 55 | 70 | 0.79 |
| Edinson Cavani | Uruguay | 51 | 118 | 0.43 |
| Zico | Brazil | 48 | 71 | 0.68 |
| Alexis Sanchez | Chile | 45 | 136 | 0.33 |
| Sergio Aguero | Argentina | 41 | 97 | 0.42 |
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