MONTEVIDEO: Colombia started the South American World Cup qualifiers as favourites for one of the region’s four direct spots in Qatar, while underdogs Ecuador were expected to fail under coach Gustavo Alfaro.

Tuesday’s round ended with the Colombians in need of miracle after failing to score for a seventh consecutive match in a 1-0 defeat in Argentina, and the Ecuadorians securing fifth place at least by tying 1-1 with Peru, putting Ecuador in an international playoff against an Asian team.

A win would have put Ecuador in third place in the region and going to Qatar, but that seems to be only delayed to the end of March, when the two final rounds will take place.

Young winger Facundo Pellistri stole the show on only his second appearance for Uruguay as the twice former World Cup winners boosted their hopes of reaching Qatar with a 4-1 win over Venezuela.

Chile also gave themselves a lifeline as Alexis Sanchez scored a brace in a 3-2 win at Bolivia.

Brazil (39 points) and Argentina (35) have already qualified. Ecuador have 25 points, three ahead of Uruguay. Peru are now at 21 points in fifth place, with Chile one point behind. Colombia have 17. Bolivia (15), Paraguay (13) and Venezuela (10) have no chance of qualifying.

Colombia’s miserable record-equalling seven-match goalless streak has left them with little chance of even making the inter-continental play-off.

Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the match in Cordoba in the 29th minute after he was left alone in the penalty box by two Colombia defenders.

Colombia’s last rivals are less dangerous: Bolivia at home and Venezuela away. Coach Reinaldo Rueda’s team will have to win both, overtake Chile and one other between Uruguay and Peru in order to get to Qatar.

“This is not over, we want to go at it until the end,” Rueda said in a news conference. “Maybe we need more clarity in the midfield and also in our finishing. We miss that energy.”

It took Ecuador only two minutes to start dreaming of their return to the World Cup, when Michael Estrada calmly put it in the back of the net after a long pass from a defender.

Peru struggled to block the Ecuadorians, but pulled even in the 69th minute with a header by Edison Flores and the backing of the crowd with the draw putting coach Ricardo Gareca’s team in competitive position for fifth place.

Ecuador’s final challenges in qualifiers will be at Paraguay and then hosting Argentina. Peru will travel to Uruguay, and then take on Paraguay at home.

PELLISTRI INSPIRES URUGUAY

Goals from Rodrigo Betancur, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Edinson Cavani and a Luis Suarez penalty saw Uruguay romp to a second successive victory under new coach Diego Alonso that propelled them into the final of four automatic qualification berths.

But it was Manchester United youngster Pellistri, who has spent the last year on loan at Spaniards Alaves, who shone brightest.

His mazy run set up the second goal and his trickery won the penalty converted by Suarez.

With two qualifiers left at home to Peru and away to Chile, Uruguay’s World Cup destiny remains in their own hands.

They had a dream start in Montevideo as Cavani’s first minute cross was half cleared to the edge of the box where Betancur hit a sweet half volley that clipped a heel and skidded past Wuliker Farinez in the Venezuela goal.

Uruguay were dominant and doubled their lead on 23 minutes after Pellistri showed great trickery to beat three players on the right and cut the ball back for De Arrascaeta to slot home from close range.

Cavani, who had a second half goal ruled out for offside, all but sealed the victory in first half stoppage time with an opportunistic overhead kick from six yards out as Uruguay’s players were lining up to finish off their weary opponents.

Pellistri continued to torment Venezuela down the right in the second half and won a penalty off Nahuel Ferraresi.

Farinez saved Suarez’s spot kick but referee Bruno Arleu ordered it be retaken due to encroachment and the Atletico Madrid striker made no mistake the second time.

Josef Martinez netted a consolation on 65 minutes after a defensive mistake from Jose Gimenez.

SANCHEZ REIGNITES CHILE’S HOPES

In La Paz, veteran Sanchez scored a brilliant brace to relaunch Chile’s hopes of reaching Qatar after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Argentina.

Former Barcelona and Manchester United star Sanchez, 33, rolled back the years by opening the scoring on 14 minutes with a wicked swerving free-kick before netting the killer third goal five minutes from time.

Marc Enoumba equalized for Bolivia in the first half before Marcelino Nunez gave Chile the lead again after the break. Marcelo Moreno rounded off the scoring late on but defeat leaves Bolivia all but mathematically eliminated.

Chile’s final challenges will be at Brazil and home against Uruguay.

“It’s still not over, we’ve got two important games left,” said Sanchez. “It was vital to win today in La Paz against tough opponents.”

Also on Tuesday, Brazil ended Paraguay’s hopes of going to Qatar with a 4-0 thrashing in Belo Horizonte.

Philippe Coutinho scored the pick of the goals with Raphinha, Antony and Rodrygo also on target.

Coach Tite did not count on an injured Neymar playing, and also used the game to test out other players like Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni did.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2022