Sao Paulo: Lionel Messi’s Argentina drew Venezuela 1-1 in a South American World Cup qualifying match Thursday that was delayed for half-hour on account of a moist pitch at Monumental Stadium within the Venezuelan metropolis of Maturin.
Argentina, which leads the 10-team round-robin competitors, now has 19 factors after 9 matches. Colombia, with 16 factors, stays in second place after shedding 1-0 at Bolivia.
The 2 outcomes momentarily put Brazil out of computerized World Cup berths, in seventh place with 10 factors. The Brazilians will face Chile in Santiago in a while Thursday.
Argentina’s lead within the competitors may very well be diminished on Friday if Uruguay, with 15 factors, wins at Peru.
Defender Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina within the thirteenth minute. He pushed the ball to the empty web after a cross by Messi and a mistake by goalkeeper Rafael Romo. Salomón Rondón equalized within the sixty fifth minute with a header for the one South American group that has but to play in a World Cup.
“The pitch didn’t assist us do what we needed to do,” Messi stated. He returned to the nationwide group after lacking the 2 earlier rounds of South American qualifying on account of ligament harm in his proper ankle.
Venezuela defender Jon Aramburu stated his group needed a win to indicate its ambition.
“The rain affected the match, we could not play nicely,” he stated. “We drew in opposition to a group that everybody is aware of of its potential. However this group is right here to beat them, to compete.”
Venezuela’s subsequent match will likely be at Paraguay on Tuesday, the identical day that Argentina will host Bolivia.
Colombia, the final unbeaten group in South American qualifying , was shocked at Bolivia within the Municipal Stadium within the metropolis of El Alto, greater than 4,000 meters (13,000 toes) above sea stage. Bolivia moved into fifth place with 12 factors after its first win in 21 years in opposition to the Colombians.
Miguel Terceros, often known as Miguelito, scored the successful objective for Bolivia within the 58th minute with a robust shot after dribbling via two defenders.
Bolivia had misplaced Héctor Cuellar to a straight pink card within the twenty first minute after a grotesque deal with that pressured the substitution of striker Roger Martinez, however the group remained aggressive till the top of the match in its high-altitude stadium.
“We’re a younger group that desires to alter historical past,” Terceros stated. “Now we are going to journey to Argentina excited about successful.”
Bolivia hasn’t certified for a World Cup version for the reason that 1994 version in the USA.
Colombia’s subsequent rivall will likely be Chile, who will face Brazil in a while Thursday.
Additionally on Thursday, Ecuador and Paraguay drew 0-0.
The Ecuadorians are in fourth place with 12 factors and forward of Bolivia on objective distinction. Paraguay stays out of an computerized qualifying spot with 10 factors.
The highest six groups within the round-robin competitors will safe computerized berths on the 2026 World Cup .