At the end of round 14 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification from CONMEBOL zone, five-time WC winners Brazil became the first team to qualify for 2018 FIFA World Cup at Russia after beating Paraguay by 3-0.

On the other hand, two-time WC winners Argentina and Uruguay suffered defeats which also blew their journey of WC qualifications. Apart from these matches, Chile once again came to the top 4 in the points table after securing a 3-1 victory against Venezuela.

Brazil earned their ticket for 2018 FIFA World Cup at Russia after beating Paraguay by 3-0. On 34 minutes, Philippe Coutinho put Brazil ahead by 1-0.

In the early second half (53’), Brazil received a penalty after Neymar’s superb run was stopped by Rodrigo Rojas through a foul inside the penalty box. But at the end, Neymar failed to convert that penalty chance as it was saved by the visitors’ goalie (Antony Silva).

However, Brazil had not waited too long for their second goal of the match as Neymar himself scored on 64 minutes. After a wonderful solo run with the ball, Neymar successfully netted that after his finish deflected by a visitors’ defender. On 86 minutes, Marcelo accounted the third goal for Brazil. Paulinho’s excellent placing back-heal comfortably homed by Marcelo.

Meanwhile, two-time World cup champions and last World Cup’s runners-up (2014) Argentina’s WC qualification disheartened after suffering a defeat against the hosts Bolivia by 2-0. Non-presence of Argentina’s star Lionel Messi, as he is serving a 4-match ban, affected the national team very much. Juan Arce opened the scoreline for the hosts Bolivia on 31 minutes through an impressive header.

On 52 minutes, Marcelo Moreno extended the lead for the hosts. The unmarked striker did not miss the clear opportunity as his powerful strike did not give any chance to the visitors’ shot-stopper (Sergio Romero). Argentina had several chances but Carlos Lampe’s excellent goal-keeping kept away them to open their scoreline.

Despite this victory, Bolivia is out in the fight of qualification for 2018 FIFA WC. On the other hand, Argentina slipped down to the danger position at no.5 in the points table after losing this game.

In the meantime, another two-time World cup champions Uruguay were handed a 1-2 defeat by the hosts Peru. Carlos Sanchez brought the advantage for Uruguay after opening the scoreline on 30 minutes. Paolo Guerrero made equalised for the hosts on 34 minutes.

On 62 minutes, Edison Flores gained the lead for Peru. On 76 minutes, Uruguay suffered a blow after Jonathan Urretaviscaya was sent off due to earning two yellow cards in quick times (64’ and 76’).

This victory keeps alive the hope for Peru to 2018 FIFA WC while Uruguay slipped down to the 3^rd position in the points table after this defeat.

Besides this, Chile once again makes a comeback to the top 4 in the points table after securing a 3-1 victory against the bottom placed team Venezuela. Alexis Sanchez (5’) gave an early lead for the hosts Chile through an incredible free-kick which landed inside the goal-line after hitting at the bottom of the top post.

Just 2 minutes later, Esteban Paredes stretched the lead for Chile who also scored the next goal for the hosts on 22 minutes through a header. On 63 minutes, Salomon Rondon reduced the deficit for Venezuela with a header from a following a free-kick. In the addition, Chile got a penalty on 77 minutes which Sanchez failed to capitalise as his shot was saved. With this victory, Chile climbed up at the 4^th position in the points table while bottom placed Venezuela rule out from the qualification for 2018 FIFA WC after receiving this away defeat.

Moreover, Colombia achieved an important away victory against the hosts Ecuador. Colombia climbed up to the 2^nd position in the points table after beating 10-man Ecuador by 2-0. James Rodríguez (20′) and Juan Cuadrado (34′) scored the goals for Colombia in the first half, while the hosts’ defender Luis Caicedo (61′) was shown a red card in the second half due to his double bookings in the match (27’ and 61’).

Brief Scores:

Bolivia 2 – 0 Argentina

Ecuador 0 – 2 Colombia

Chile 3 – 1 Venezuela

Brazil 3 – 0 Paraguay

Peru 2 – 1 Uruguay

Standings after the end of Round 14

Position	Team	Matches	Won	Drawn	Lost	GD	Points
1	Brazil	14	10	3	1	+25	33
2	Colombia	14	7	3	4	+3	24
3	Uruguay	14	7	2	5	+9	23
4	Chile	14	7	2	5	+5	23
5	Argentina	14	6	4	4	+1	22
6	Ecuador	14	6	2	6	+3	20
7	Peru	14	5	3	6	−1	18
8	Paraguay	14	5	3	6	−8	18
9	Bolivia	14	3	1	10	−20	10
10	Venezuela	14	1	3	10	−17	6