Leaders Brazil and second-placed Argentina gained their matches within the South American World Cup qualifiers forward of their Superclassico on Thursday. Neither Lionel Messi nor Neymar did an excellent job for his or her groups.
Brazil made 5 begins in Santiago to prime Chile, regardless of the absence of 9 England gamers who weren’t launched by their golf equipment as a consequence of COVID-19-related quarantine restrictions.
Substitute Everton Ribeiro scored the lone purpose of the match. Brazil now have 21 factors after seven matches with seven wins. Chile is in seventh place with six factors.
Brazil’s arch-rivals Argentina defeated Venezuela 3-1 on the Olympico Stadium in Caracas. Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa and Angel Correa scored for the guests. Jefferson Soteldo netted from the spot for the hosts seconds earlier than the ultimate whistle blew. Argentina are second on the desk with 15 factors. Venezuela is on the backside of the 10-team spherical robin with 4 factors.
This spherical of the South American qualifiers has seen a number of gamers from England not journey as a result of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the British authorities within the international locations of the area. Argentina, nevertheless, didn’t lose any of the 4 they referred to as. The first 4 groups will robotically qualify to play in Qatar subsequent 12 months. The fifth-place staff will participate within the worldwide playoffs. In their 1–0 victory over Chile, Brazil have been with out 5 consecutive begins for the match. Goalkeeper Ederson, defender Thiago Silva, midfielder Fred and strikers Richardson and Gabriel Jesus didn’t journey to South America.
Brazil’s Neymar kicks the ball as he makes an attempt to attain towards Chile throughout a soccer match qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on the Memorial Stadium in Santiago, Chile (Photo: AP)
Coach Tite determined to alter the formation of the staff in order that 4 folks might be put up entrance; Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Barbosa and Neymar. His substitute goalkeeper Weverton was Santiago’s greatest participant of the primary half, making a major save in a free kick taken by Arturo Vidal and a rebound led by Eduardo Vargas.
Brazil was extra lively within the second half. Vinicius Junior left for Everton Ribeiro and Bruno Guimaraes was changed by Gerson. Chile had fewer probabilities to attain and risked providing the guests extra harmful counters. Chile saved nearly all of the ball with them, however didn’t threat Weverton a lot till the top of the match.
Asked about Sunday’s Clasico, Ribeiro mentioned it might not be a rematch after Argentina’s 1-0 win on the Maracan stadium within the Copa America last in July. “But it will be a historic match, Argentina is always hard to face,” he added. was thrown out. Messi.
Lautaro MartÃnez opened the scoring in stoppage time of the primary half, with an help from Giovanni Lo Celso. Joaquin Correa doubled the lead within the 71st minute from the sting of the field after fast exchanges with Messi and Lautaro. Angel Correa scored the third purpose from shut three minutes later. Argentina gained when Soteldo scored for the hosts from the spot.
“We had a great first half today and they were down to one,” Lautaro mentioned. “After we scored we managed to work with more gaps so that we could bring home three points.” Had Argentina misplaced in Venezuela it might have gone forward of Ecuador, who had crushed Paraguay 2-0 hours earlier. Felix Torres scored the primary purpose from a header within the 88th minute. Michael Estrada set his web in additional time. Argentina have 15 factors and third place Ecuador has 12 factors. Ecuador will host Chile within the subsequent spherical, whereas sixth-placed Paraguay will tackle fifth-placed Colombia, who’ve 9 factors after a 1-1 draw with Bolivia on the top of La Paz.
Roger Martinez’s purpose within the 69th minute gave Colombia the lead and Fernando Saucedo’s 83rd minute bang from outdoors the field for eighth-placed Bolivia. Also on Thursday, Peru and Uruguay drew 1-1 in Lima. The hosts scored with a cycle kick within the twenty fourth minute together with Renato Tapia. But regardless of the absence of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Giorgione de Arrascaeta saved Uruguay in rivalry within the twenty ninth minute with a purpose that was not issued by Manchester United.
In different matches, Uruguay will host Bolivia on Sunday. Peru will face Venezuela.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
