ARGENTINA, URUGUAY AND Colombia booked their place at next year’s World Cup finals on Tuesday in a thrilling final round of qualifiers that saw South American champions Chile eliminated.
Argentina advanced after a Lionel Messi hat-trick secured a 3-1 win in Ecuador.
Uruguay meanwhile sealed their place in Russia with a 4-2 home win over already-eliminated Bolivia.
Colombia qualified after a battling 1-1 draw with Peru in Lima.
Peru’s draw was good enough to give them a playoff berth which will see them take on New Zealand over two legs for a place in the finals.
But the combination of results spelt the end of the road for Chile, who were beaten 3-0 by Brazil and knocked out.
Results on Tuesday from final round of games in South America’s 2018 World Cup qualifying competition:
Brazil 3 (Paulinho 55, Jesus 57, 90+2) Chile 0
Ecuador 1 (Ibarra 1) Argentina 3 (Messi 12, 20, 62)
Paraguay 0 Venezuela 1 (Herrera 84)
Peru 1 (Guerrero 74) Colombia 1 (Rodriguez 56)
Uruguay 4 (Caceres 39, Cavani 42, Suarez 60, 76) Bolivia 2 (Silva 24-og, Godin 79-og)
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
This could turn out to be one of the best title races in years. No team as of yet have looked a class above the rest. All of the “big” teams have lost to “small” clubs so far.
Allthough the quality is down from other years this could be the closest race for years. Fingers crossed.
As for my own club (Man United) all I can say is at least we got the 3 points. Still alot of very poor preformances from some of the experienced lads on the squad. Wouldnt say I am happy but lets hopd they improve comming up to the christmas period (apologies for using the C word in October)
Liverpool flying Sturridge is on fire & Suarez is the best player in the league……
No team looks really good so far, Arsenal weren’t great today & not one team look like they have a good defence
United??? Shite rolls down hills
Bit harsh ruling Everton out of the top four race just because they lost to City. Could’ve easily drawn the game, Zabaleta’s dive got City a peno and Lukaku should have had a peno up the other end.
Everton lose 3-1. United 4-1. Yet you’ll write off Everton who beat Chelsea. Which united couldnt do. Bit harsh.
Yeah seems harsh alright. Not many teams will go to Man City this season and come away with a win…. Also considering that Everton’s squad cost as much as City’s most expensive striker’s weekly wage, they didn’t do too badly! ;-)
Surely he is only saying what everyone is thinking?
Why do some people like giving out for the sake of giving out!
I think you’re giving out for the sake of giving out!
Thanks for your lack of analysis beep beep. Most open league in years. United will be there for top four.