Conmebol World Cup Qualifiers: Ecuador and Uruguay are in, Peru, Colombia, and Chile will fight for the last spot
With one game to play for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, all 4 direct qualification spots are secured, but 3 teams can still get the last play-off spot.
Credits: Onefootball.com
Matchday 17 of the Conmebol World Cup qualifiers had 4 games going on at the same time on Thursday 24th and the last game was played the next day. In Brazil, the five-time World Cup winners had a convincing victory against Chile, after beating “La roja” 4-0 with goals from Neymar 44’, Vinicius Jr 46’, Coutinho 72’, and Richarlison 91’. This loss sent Chile to the 7th spot of the table and now they have to win their final game against Uruguay and hope that Peru and Colombia lose to make it through. Another team that dominated at home was Paraguay when they beat 3rd place Ecuador 3-1, goals by Robert Morales 9’, Piero Hincapie (own goal) 51’, Miguel Almiron 54’, and Jordy Caicedo 85’. This game didn’t change anything for both teams as Paraguay already had no chances of qualifying and Ecuador’s goal difference against Uruguay keeps them in 3rd spot.
Credits: dimensionturistica.com
Speaking about Uruguay, the “Charruas” beat Peru 1-0, with a goal from Giorgian De Arrascaeta 42’, securing their qualification and making Peru nervous as they need to win their last team to qualify, or tie and hope that Colombia doesn’t win. That seems unlikely as Colombia had a really convincing victory against Bolivia after beating them 3-0, goals by Luis Diaz 39’, Miguel Angel Borja 72’, Mateus Uribe 90’. After a seven game goal drought, the “Cafeteros” were finally able to find the back of the net, however, they do not depend on themselves to qualify, as they have to win their final game and hope that Peru loses. The last game of the Matchday saw Argentina ease pass Venezuela after beating them 3-0 in the Bombonera, goals by Nicolas Gonzalez 35’, Angel Di Maria 79’, and Lionel Messi 82’.
Credits: fulbox.com
The last set of qualifying games will be played next Tuesday 29th and they will all be played at the same time. Venezuela will host Colombia, Bolivia will play against Brazil, Chile will hope to beat Uruguay, Ecuador will play Argentina, and Peru will try to secure their spot against Paraguay.