Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay have already secured the area’s 4 direct spots on the World Cup in Qatar later this yr, however there’s nonetheless loads at stake within the closing spherical of South American qualifying on Tuesday.
The greatest prize is the intercontinental playoff spot towards the fifth place staff from Asia, with Peru (21 factors), Colombia (20) and Chile (19) chasing fifth place in South America. That playoff in June is prone to be towards Australia, United Arab Emirates or Iraq.
Peru can safe its place with a house victory towards Paraguay. Colombia must beat Venezuela and hope Peru would not win. Chile should beat Uruguay in Santiago and depend on different outcomes going its method.
Leader Brazil is concentrating on a historic mark at Bolivia on the identical day. Coach Tite’s staff can attain 45 competitors factors with a victory at altitude in La Paz, a tally that may break Argentina’s report of 43 in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. Brazil strikers Neymar and Vinicius Jr. are suspended.
Third-place Ecuador hosts second-place Argentina.
FIFA needs Brazil and Argentina to play by June their suspended encounter of Sept. 6, which was stopped in its first minutes as a consequence of COVID-19 protocols.
PERU vs PARAGUAY
Peru is the clear favourite for the coveted fifth place, and Ricardo Gareca’s staff confirmed a variety of character in its 1-0 loss at Uruguay final week.
“We expected to be in the World Cup with a direct spot, but that can’t be and we have to overcome that,” Gareca mentioned after the defeat in Montevideo.
He referred to as on gamers to “focus on what is coming, which is a decisive match.” The Peruvians will miss striker André Carrillo. He is out with a left knee damage and set to get replaced by Edison Flores. Gareca can be anticipated to start out defender Jhilmar Lora.
Eighth-place Paraguay will not have striker Robert Morales, who injured his knee within the staff’s 3-1 win towards Ecuador.
VENEZUELA vs COLOMBIA
If Peru fails to beat Paraguay at dwelling, fifth place can be very a lot in Colombian arms with last-place Venezuela not anticipated to pose a serious problem.
Colombia scored its first objectives in nearly 700 minutes in qualifiers with a 3-0 win towards Bolivia. Luis Diaz, who obtained one of many objectives, is anticipated to steer the cost within the closing spherical.
Veteran winger Juan Guillermo Cuadrado is suspended from the match in Puerto Ordaz. Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda is contemplating Mateus Uribe, Wilmar Barrios and Jefferson Lerma as replacements.
“We should focus on us, block ourselves from other results,” Rueda mentioned Sunday.
“We shouldn’t be fearful as a training employees about informing them. It just isn’t good. Players should be centered.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
