Brazil Stunned Whilst Argentina Go Top

Déjà Vu For James: Colombia 2-2 Uruguay

Nine years after James Rodríguez dazzled at the 2014 World Cup he found his feet again for Colombia. The number 10 rolled back the years to score a crucial goal against Uruguay, just like he did so famously back at the World Cup in Brazil.

James’ goal will give the Colombia fans faith that he could still play a vital part in this campaign. His career since the 2014 tournament has been extremely stop-start but on Thursday night against Uruguay he showed that he has still got the magic touch.

Colombia went into half-time a goal ahead but should have taken advantage of more gaps in the Uruguay defence and been two or more up at the break. Seconds into the second half they paid the price as Uruguay levelled from a corner.

In front of a sea of yellow in Barranquilla, Colombia would regain the lead through Mateus Uribe after 52 minutes. A James cross was set up by some great play from Liverpool winger Luis Díaz, but it would be his club teammate Darwin Núñez that would have the final word on the day. Núñez expertly converted a penalty in stoppage time to rescue a point for Uruguay and leave the home side frustrated.

Otamendi Is Captain Fantastic: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay

Argentina continued their 100% start to qualifying by making it three wins from three against Paraguay in Buenos Aires. There was no Ángel Di María or Lionel Messi in the starting line up, so Nicolás Otamendi was the man to take on the captains armband.

As well as keeping a clean sheet it was Otamendi who got the vital goal for the hosts inside just 3 minutes. The centre back did his best Lionel Messi impression as he smashed home a sumptuous volley from De Paul’s corner. Argentina, at times in the first half, were electric going forward and very easily could have added to their tally.

After 52 minutes Lionel Messi joined the fray but the scoreline would remain at 1-0. Paraguay were restricted to 25% possession and just one single shot on target, showing the dominance of the hosts. Argentina will be pleased to know that the strike partnership of Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez looks like it could be a fruitful one for years to come, even in the absence of the great Lionel.

A Shock In Cuiabá: Brazil 1-1 Venezuela

Before this tie Brazil had won 15 home games on the bounce and they had only lost to Venezuela once since 1960. The result seemed a formality. The most obvious outcome of matchday 3 had to be Brazil beating Venezuela at home, but alas; football has shocked us again.

Venezuela have surprised the whole continent by taking four points from their first three games. They kept Brazil at bay for most of the game despite conceding a lot of possession. Brazil found it difficult to break Venezuela down and had to settle for shots from the edge of the box. It eventually took a set-piece for the home side to score as Neymar’s corner was met by Arsenal’s Gabriel, but what happened next wasn’t in the script.

Venezuela substitute Eduard Bello was only on the pitch for six minutes when he scored an incredible equaliser for the visitors. An acrobatic bicycle kick silenced the home crowd and sent the away side into delirium, in what was just their second ever point away to Brazil in World Cup qualifying.

La Roja Find A Victory: Chile 2-0 Peru

Chile defeated rivals Peru 2-0 at home, on Thursday. An exact repeat of the result from this fixture in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This time it was thanks to goals from Club América midfielder Diego Valdés and an own goal from Peruvian defender Marcos López.

La Roja didn’t find the opener until the 74th minute of the game but they thoroughly deserved the three points. Home fans could breath a sigh of relief with what was their first win of the campaign. Worryingly for Peru they are now three games without a victory. Perhaps even more seriously; they still haven’t registered a single shot on target in these qualifiers.

Chile dominated the ball and squandered chances with the game still goalless. There is now hope for their qualification chances but things aren’t looking so bright for Peru.

Kendry Makes History: Bolivia 1-2 Ecuador

New Chelsea signing Kendry Paéz made history by scoring the opener in this tie. At just 16 years and 161 days old Kendry became the youngest ever goalscorer in South American World Cup qualifying. The young prodigy is still playing on loan for his former club Independiente del Valle – the same talent factory that produced the likes of Moisés Caicedo.

Bolivia thought they had finally got their campaign up and running with a crucial equaliser on 83 minutes. It was a stunning strike from Rodrigo Ramallo on the turn, but the hosts would be left devastated by a sucker punch in stoppage time.

It was Kevin Rodriguez of Ecuador that responded to break Bolivian hearts in the 96th minute of the game. The strike from the Union Saint-Gilloise forward put the visitors 2-1 up just before the final whistle. Ecuador now sit seventh in the table and Bolivia languish at rock-bottom.