CONMEBOL WC Qualifiers round-up: Uruguay, Brazil clinch victory; Messi-less Argentina held a draw against Venezuela
Sep 7, 2016 at 2:36 PM
In the round 8 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification from CONMEBOL zone, Uruguay thrashed Paraguay by 4-0 while Brazil snatched a victory against Colombia by 2-1. From being down 2-0, Messi-less Argentina were held to a draw against the hosts Venezuela by 2-2.
Hosts Uruguay thrashed the visitors Paraguay by 4-0 and with that victory, Uruguay reaches the top of the group table after completion the round 8. In the 1st half of the match, Uruguay scored 3 goals. Edinson Cavani opened the scoreline for Uruguay in 18 minutes of the match. Cavani brilliantly netted the ball from Suarez’s cross.
In the 42 minutes, Cristian Rodriguez scored the second goal for the hosts through a header from a corner. At the injury time of the 1st half, Suarez stretched the lead for Uruguay to 3-0 through a penalty. Cavani scored the fourth for Uruguay in the 54 minute through a header from Suarez’s excellent cross.
On the other hand, 5-time World Cup winner Brazil snatched a victory over Colombia by 2-1. With an early goal from Miranda, hosts Brazil took the lead in the match by 1-0. In the 2nd minute, Miranda scored that great goal through a header from a corner.
Colombia equalised the score in the 36th minute through an own goal from Brazil defender Marquinhos. Marquinhos attempted to clear James Rodriguez’s free-kick with a header but failed to do his job as his header went to the net.
In the 74th minute, Neymar scored the winning goal for Brazil. Taking a pass from Coutinho, Neymar took a low angled shot from the edge of penalty box towards the goal which visitors’ goalkeeper Ospina failed to save.
Meanwhile, Messi-less Argentina failed to retain their top position in the points table as they were held to a draw against the bottom team Venezuela. Hosts Venezuela failed to secure their first victory in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, despite leading the scoreline by 2-0.
Juanpi opened the match scoreline for the hosts in the 35th minute with a remarkable shot just from the outside the penalty box. Josef Martinez added another goal for Venezuela in the 53rd minute of the match.
Argentina made a comeback into the match from Lucas Pratto’s goal in the 58th minute. Then Nicolas Otamendi spoiled the Venezuela’s party in 83 minutes with an excellent volley from a corner. Venezuela is still searching for their first victory in this qualification.
Back-to-back Copa America champion Chile were held to a goalless draw against Bolivia. In another match, hosts Peru secured a 2-1 victory against Ecuador. Christian Cueva put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute of the match through a penalty while Gabriel Achilier leveled the scoreline in the 31st minute. Renato Tapia scored the second goal for Peru in the 78th minute as the hosts took the lead by 2-1 and carried on till the end. Ecuador’s attacking midfielder Michael Arroyo watched a red card in the injury time of the match.
Brief Scores:
Uruguay 4 – 0 Paraguay
Chile 0 – 0 Bolivia
Venezuela 2 – 2 Argentina
Brazil 2 – 1 Colombia
Peru 2 – 1 Ecuador
Standings after the end of Round-8
Position | Team | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
1 | Uruguay | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +11 | 16 |
2 | Brazil | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +7 | 15 |
3 | Argentina | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +3 | 15 |
4 | Colombia | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | +2 | 13 |
5 | Ecuador | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | +1 | 13 |
6 | Paraguay | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -2 | 12 |
7 | Chile | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +1 | 11 |
8 | Bolivia | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 7 |
9 | Peru | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -7 | 7 |
10 | Venezuela | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -12 | 2 |
(Note: GD = goals differences)