World Cup 2026 Qualifiers South America round-up

In a monumental clash at the Maracana, Brazil's unblemished record of never losing a home FIFA World Cup qualifier met its end at the hands of their fiercest rivals, Argentina.

Maracanã Stadium, a historic battleground for these two footballing giants, witnessed a fiercely contested Superclásico. The decisive moment came as Nicolas Otamendi rose high to meet a cross with a bullet header, tilting the scales in Argentina's favor and ensuring their perch atop the South American standings remained secure.

Meanwhile, Uruguay maintained their pursuit, staying within two points of the lead by effortlessly dispatching Bolivia. Darwin Nunez, emerging once more as Uruguay's hero, played a pivotal role in their commanding victory. Elsewhere across the continent, individual brilliance shone as Rafael Santos Borre and Angel Mena etched their names as match-winners for Colombia and Ecuador, respectively. The battle between Peru and Venezuela ended in a stalemate, sharing the spoils of a hard-fought contest.

A significant moment unfolded as Jefferson Savarino played spoiler to Peru's aspirations of a historic win, ensuring Venezuela held onto fourth place. Yoshimar Yotun's superb header initially put Peru ahead on a night that marked a milestone for him. However, a remarkable save by Rafael Romo kept Venezuela in contention before Savarino capitalized on Darwin Machis's excellent setup to level the score in the second half.

The narrative intensified as Argentina stunned the Maracana once again, triumphing over Brazil in a heated encounter. This victory marked Brazil's first-ever defeat in a World Cup preliminary at their home turf, further solidifying Argentina's dominance. Nicolas Otamendi's commanding header secured the win in a fiercely contested match that saw Joelinton being sent off. This victory propelled Albiceleste to pole position while dropping Seleção to sixth, their recent form yielding just a single point from their last four outings.

Elsewhere, Angel Mena's first international goal in over two years lifted an injury-hit Ecuador past Chile, propelling them to fifth place and relegating La Roja to eighth. Notably, Nicolas Cordova made history as the first Chile-born coach in 18 years to helm La Roja. Additionally, at 35 years and 304 days, Angel Mena etched his name in Ecuadorian football history as the oldest player to score for Ecuador in World Cup qualifying.

In a separate fixture, the synergy between Facundo Pellistri and Darwin Nunez came to the fore as Uruguay comfortably dispatched Bolivia. Nunez showcased his prowess by netting twice, complementing an own-goal, and solidifying Uruguay's dominance. Even though Luis Suarez made a memorable appearance, hitting the crossbar after coming off the bench for his first outing under 'El Loco' Bielsa, Nunez's brilliance remained the focal point, sparking debates about the finest South American striker.

Rafael Santos Borre's early penalty ensured Colombia's victory over Paraguay, maintaining their hold on third place and keeping Paraguay in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament position. Despite late efforts from Paraguay, including the introduction of the seasoned Oscar Cardozo, Colombia held firm for a crucial win at a historically favorable venue.

The match results across South America mirrored the intensity and passion for football, showcasing moments of individual brilliance, historic milestones, and fierce rivalries in a captivating spectacle of the beautiful game.