South America’s six automatic slots at the FIFA World Cup 26™ have been seized. There is still, however, plenty to play for on the final matchday.
Venezuela and Bolivia, who both have tough home games, will tussle for one ticket to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, Argentina will strive to win the CONMEBOL preliminaries by a record margin, Ecuador will attempt to make history, and Peru and Chile will fight to avoid finishing bottom.
There’s also individual intrigue. Luis Diaz is out to leapfrog Lionel Messi and finish as the campaign’s leading marksman, while other talents will be out to impress as the battle for aeroplane seats to North America intensifies.
Fixtures
Tuesday 9 September
Ecuador v Argentina
Peru v Paraguay
Venezuela v Colombia
Bolivia v Brazil
Chile v Uruguay
Ecuador v Argentina
Monumental Isidro Romero, Guayaquil
They will need a little help from elsewhere, but the Tricolor could equal their best-ever campaign, registered when Ivan Hurtado, Alex Aguinaga, Agustin Delgado and Ivan Kaviedes came second in the 2002 preliminaries. A fifth consecutive clean sheet would also see Sebastian Beccacece’s impenetrable outfit tie the record for the fewest goals conceded in one campaign, which Brazil set at five in the run-up to Qatar 2022.
Argentina are also chasing history. If they win, and other results go their way, they could break their own record for conquering the CONMEBOL preliminaries by a record margin. Ariel Ortega, Juan Sebastian Veron, Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo finished 12 points clear in Korea/Japan 2002 qualifying. Messi will sit this one out, but Lionel Scaloni still has class aplenty at his disposal from the likes of 18-year-old sensation Franco Mastantuono, Thiago Almada, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Last 10 meetings
8 Argentina wins, 1 Ecuador win, 1 draw
Peru v Paraguay
Estadio Nacional, Lima
La Blanquirroja, who finished fifth in Qatar 2022 qualifying, are desperate to avoid the wooden spoon, especially given that they’re competing against their arch-enemies to elude it. A draw would probably be enough for Luis Advincula, Yoshimar Yotun and Co, while Peru can take encouragement from the fact they haven’t lost to Paraguay in almost 11 years.
This Albirroja team has, however, evolved into one of the steeliest around under Gustavo Alfaro, and Gustavo Gomez, Miguel Almiron and amigos will be determined to finish on a high.
Last 10 meetings
7 Peru wins, 3 draws
Venezuela v Colombia
Estadio Monumental, Maturin
Victory would book Venezuela a FIFA Play-Off Tournament place. Worryingly, though, they haven’t defeated Colombia, who are in fine form, in over a decade.
Fernando Batista has match-winners at his disposal in the shape of Jefferson Savarino, Yeferson Soteldo and Salomon Rondon. So, too, does Nestor Lorenzo in James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias and Luis Diaz, who will be gunning to score as he scrums with Messi for scoring-chart supremacy.
Last 10 meetings
5 Colombia wins, 3 draws, 2 Venezuela wins
Bolivia v Brazil
Estadio Municipal, El Alto
La Verde must upset the star-stacked Seleção and hope La Vinotinto don’t win. Oscar Villegas can take heart from the fact that Bolivia have beaten Brazil before, including at home in qualifying for the 1994, 2002 and 2010 World Cups. Miguel Terceros, who plays his club football in Brazil and has scored six times in this campaign, will be central to their chances.
In the absence of Brazil superstars Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Joao Pedro, Kaio Jorge, Luiz Henrique, Richarlison and Samuel Lino will be hoping for action as they attempt to make a regular starting berth their own under Carlos Ancelotti.
Last 10 meetings
6 Brazil wins, 3 draws, 1 Bolivia win
Chile v Uruguay
Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos, Santiago
La Roja must win to have any hope of finishing off the foot. Distressingly, they have tasted victory in only one of their last 14 qualifiers. Interim coach Nicolas Cordova will bank on Alexander Aravena and Ben Brereton Diaz getting them goals.
Los Charrúas will be out to equal their best-ever finish of second, which Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani helped accomplish in the 2018 qualifiers. Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who boast Federico Valverde and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, will do so if they better Brazil’s result.
Last 10 meetings
6 Uruguay wins, 3 Chile wins, 1 draw
