The fourth day of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup is over. The big takeaways, without a doubt, were Venezuela and Uruguay, which affected Chile and Brazil very hard. Meanwhile, Paraguay broke its losing streak against Bolivia in the Defensores del Chaco stadium. Colombia and Ecuador tied without scoring and Argentina once again showed why it is the current world champion.
Soteldo danced over Chile
Talent, self-confidence and irreverence. Rarely has a Venezuelan player shown such a powerful display of soccer as Yeferson Soteldo against Chile. Santos's number '10' led the Bocha Batista team that beat 'La Roja' 3-0 with goals from Soteldo himself, Salomón Rondón and Darwin Machís.
Soteldo was the one who assisted Rondón and Machís at 2-0 and 3-0, with two furious and unstoppable plays in the second half. The first assist was especially memorable, with Yeferson feinting, accelerating and leaving a weak Chilean defense without a response.
Except for some flashes from Alexis Sánchez or the commitment of Aranguiz, Chile was greatly surpassed by a stoic, orderly and daring Venezuela that closed a tremendous double date after tying Brazil (with that beautiful goal by Eduard Bello) at the Arena Pantanal.
Both the 1-1 against Brazil, visiting, and the 3-0 against Chile are two historic results for Venezuela that placed them third in the qualifying rounds, equaling Brazil's line (which has a better goal difference) and only seeing by below to the Argentina of Messi and Scaloni.
Right now, in Venezuela, there is a lot of faith and hope to obtain its first qualification for a soccer World Cup. Although the road until 2026 is long and rough.
¡𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐅𝐄! 🙏❤️
Venezuela 3-0 Chile
⚽ Yeferson Soteldo - 45+2'
⚽ Salomón Rondón - 73'
⚽ Darwin Machís - 79'#SiempreVinotinto 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/p8fmSsg0uz— La Vinotinto (@SeleVinotinto) October 17, 2023
The charrúas went down to Brazil
Uruguay carried out the other big blow of the day, who knocked out Brazil with a resounding 2-0 in Montevideo. The outstanding player of the match was Darwin Núñez, who scored and assisted to give his team a vital victory.
So far, Brazilian interim coach Diniz has been fruitless. The coach has been unable to take away from his players the mechanical and systematized chic that Tité had instilled. Brazil continues to be a cold and gray team dependent on its individualities.
Neither against Venezuela nor against Uruguay could Brazil show up and accomplish anything. Is it time for the coach to reimagine the field?
🇺🇾 ¡𝙂𝘼𝙉𝙊́ 𝙐𝙍𝙐𝙂𝙐𝘼𝙔!@Uruguay 2-0 @CBF_Futebol
⚽ Darwin Núñez
⚽️ Nicolás de la Cruz📌 Eliminatorias Copa Mundial de la FIFA 26™
📺 https://t.co/l3PMoeWV5O#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/lrBvckdqHd
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) October 18, 2023
Non-aggressive pact in Quito
Colombia and Ecuador did not hurt each other and signed a goalless draw at the height of Quito. Although the match had several chances from both sides, Colombia imposed conditions and was close to opening the score through a wasted penalty by Luis Díaz (well saved by Ramírez) and a goal blocked against Carlos Cuesta.
The result serves for both teams that remain in direct qualifying positions.
Finally, the Guarani claw was felt
Since March 24, 2022, Paraguay had not won in qualifying rounds; the streak was finally cut short thanks to a goal by Antonio Sanabria, who entered in the second half and gave the victory to Garnero's team against a very poor Bolivia that still has not scored points in these playoffs.
Despite Paraguay's superiority, the score was barely 1-0. However, the result helped Paraguay climb to seventh place, which gives them entry to the playoffs and surpasses Chile in the standings for the moment.
Is Argentina invincible?
Argentina feels insurmountable and plays knowing it is superior to the rest. Against Peru, in Lima, as it happened against Ecuador, Paraguay and Bolivia, Scaloni's team played with astonishing and even superb calm. Without having to put in extra effort and managing time like a squad that has plenty of quality in each of the lines, it was Leo Messi, as almost always, who guided his team with two beautiful left-footed goals from the front. Tight, unstoppable and aesthetically beautiful shots sentenced a weak Peru that is second to last, with only one unit and a big problem ahead: overcoming the hangover from the party they had with Gareca.
🎥 El 🔟 y su magia para el 1-0 de la Albiceleste 🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/cHYQV2nB3x
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) October 18, 2023
