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)
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Scott Brown could end up been the most import man on the pitch.. We have McCarthy out and our midfield at the best of time is seriously lacking..
It’s not the most glamourous qualifier in the history of football is it?
One of the best right-backs in Europe vs a pacey journey, hard one to call.
Hutton not even in Scotland squad.