Brazil, Uruguay march towards 2018, Argentina crash again - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Features

Brazil, Uruguay march towards 2018, Argentina crash again

Brazil’s Neymar celebrates after defeating Argentina 3-0 in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on November 10, 2016 © AFP / Douglas Magno

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Nov 11 – Brazil thrashed arch-rivals Argentina to tighten their grip on South America’s 2018 World Cup qualification campaign as Uruguay maintained their push towards the finals with a hard-fought defeat of Ecuador.

Barcelona superstar Neymar outshone club-mate Lionel Messi with his 50th international goal for Brazil in Belo Horizonte as the five-time World Cup winners romped to a 3-0 win in the Estadio Mineirao.

It was a sweet return to the venue for Brazil, who were humiliated 7-1 at the same ground by Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

Neymar’s landmark strike was sandwiched by a spectacular effort from Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and a second-half finish from China-based midfielder Paulinho.

The win was a remarkable fifth consecutive qualifying victory under the reign of new coach Tite, who took over following the sacking of Dunga in June following Brazil’s Copa America Centenario debacle, when they failed to advance from the group stage.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (L) is marked by Brazil’s Thiago Silva during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match © AFP / Vanderlei Almeida

Brazil now have 24 points from 11 games, one clear of second-placed Uruguay who have 23 points.

The Brazilians are six points clear of third-placed Colombia and seven points clear of Ecuador and Chile, who are level on 17 points after 11 games.

Argentina meanwhile are languishing outside the qualifying places in sixth with 16 points.

The two-time world champions who have taken just two points from their past four qualifiers now face a crucial game at home to Colombia next Tuesday which they must win to avoid falling further off the pace.

Uruguay meanwhile stayed firmly on Brazil’s shoulder with a 2-1 defeat of Ecuador at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Uruguay’s Diego Rolan (2R) scores against Ecuador during their FIFA 2018World Cup qualifier in Montevideo © AFP / Pablo Porciuncula

The Uruguayans took the lead on 12 minutes when former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates bundled in a corner from close range for his first international goal.

Espanyol striker Felipe Caicedo then rounded off a sweeping Ecuador counter-attack to equalise just before half-time.

But Uruguay responded immediately, Diego Rolan stabbing home a low finish on the stroke of half-time to restore the home side’s lead.

– Injury scare for Bravo –

Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo pulls off a save during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Colombia in Barranquilla, Colombia, on November 10, 2016 © AFP / Guillermo Munoz

Elsewhere Thursday, Copa America Centenario champions Chile had captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to thank for a hard-earned point in a 0-0 draw against Colombia in Barranquilla.

The Chileans, missing injured Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez, needed two superb saves from Bravo to keep Colombia at bay in a gritty game played in sweltering conditions.

But Bravo’s display was tempered by an injury which forced the Manchester City goalkeeper off the field midway through the second half.

Bravo had earlier produced two fine blocks to deny Oscar Murillo and Miguel Borja as Colombia were struggled to break the deadlock.

Colombia’s Argentinian coach Jose Pekerman bemoaned a lack of precision in front of goal but was buoyed by the return of talismanic striker Radamel Falcao, who was introduced as a half-time substitute.

“We tried everything and we had chances but we lacked precision,” Pekerman said.

“But the most important fact of the game was the return of Falcao.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

In other games, Paraguay suffered a 4-1 mauling against Peru in Asuncion to derail their qualification campaign.

Paraguay took an early lead through Cristian Riveros after nine minutes but Peru hit back with second-half goals from Christian Ramos, Edison Flores, Christian Cueva and an Edgar Benitez own goal to run out convincing winners.

Peru’s Christian Cueva scores past Paraguay goalkeeper Diego Barreto during their FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier, in Asuncion © AFP / Norberto Duarte

Paraguay coach Francisco Arce attempted to put a positive spin on his team’s loss.

“We’re still in the race to qualify,” Arce said. “We don’t think we’re dead, we just need to pick ourselves up and get on with it,” he added.

Paraguay, who are two points outside the qualifying positions, face Bolivia away in their next game.

Venezuela meanwhile scored their first win of the qualifiers with a 5-0 thrashing at home to Bolivia, with Josef Martinez scoring a hat-trick.

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved