Brazil, Ecuador and Uruguay Win In 2010 World Cup Qualifiers

Brazil were lucky to overcome an impressive Uruguay performance to win 2-1 in the Morumbi stadium.

Uruguay had the better of the first-half chances, taking the lead through Sebastian Abreu after eight minutes and continuing to push on for the rest of the half. Cristian Rodriguez twice saw decent efforts just miss the target, amongst a flurry of opportunities for the away side.

Despite being on the back-foot for the majority of the first half, Brazil sneaked an equaliser just before half time with former Sao Paulo favourite Luis Fabiano firing home from Maicon's thorugh ball.

The equalising goal was not enough to appease the Morumbi crowd, who made their feelings clear as the half-time whistle blew and then went on to boo Ronaldinho and Robinho when the two players were substituted in the second half.

Brazil did improve after the break and despite Uruguay having some more decent attacks, it was Fabiano who proved to be the difference between the sides, adding his second after sixty-four minutes to seal a somewhat fortuitous victory for Brazil.

In the first game of the day, Ecuador brushed aside Peru, recording their first win of the qualifying campaign with a 5-1 victory under the stewardship of their temporary manager Sixto Vizuete.

Double strikes from Walter Avoyi and Edison Mendez, along with a single strike from Ivan Kaviedes gave Ecuador a commanding 5-0 lead, with a late Andres Mendoza goal the only consolation for a Peru side who had held Brazil in their previous game.

Paraguay continued their excellent start to the qualifying campaign, defeating Chile 3-0 in a high tempo match in Santiago. Salvador Cabanas gave Paraguay the lead after twenty-six minutes, with Paulo da Silva adding a second in first half stoppage time. Da Silva got his second of the night, ten minutes into the second half and Paraguay comfortably held out for a well deserved victory.

The result means that Paraguay now lead the group on ten points from four games, with Argentina one point behind on nine, and Brazil and Colombia a further point behind on eight. Bolivia prop up the group with only one point and are one of two teams yet to record a victory, alongside Peru.

There is now a large break before the next round of qualifiers, which will take place in June 2008.

Colombia Shock Argentina and Venezuela Edge Out Bolivia

Colombia provided a shock result in the fourth round of South American World Cup qualifiers, defeating Argentina 2-1 in Bogota.

Argentina took the lead ten minutes before half-time through Lionel Messi, despite being down to ten men after Carlos Tevez was given a straight red card following a clash with Ruben Bustos.

Colombia came out after the break determined to make their man advantage count and got the breakthrough they were looking for on the hour mark with a brilliantly struck free-kick from Bustos.

They continued to press and got their reward ten minutes from time; Dairo Moreno breaking the Argentina offside trap and exchanging passes with Freddy Grisales, before tapping home from a yard out to send the home crowd into raptures.

The man advantage told for Colombia in the remaining minutes and they were able to keep possession of the ball enough to hold out for a famous victory.

In the other game of the night, Venezuela defeated Bolivia in an eight goal thriller in San Cristobal.

Bolivia held the lead three times, through a Marcelo Martins double strike and a single goal from Juan Carlos Arce, but Venezuela responded with two Daniel Arismendi goals and an Alejandro Guerro equaliser, eight minutes from time.

Venezuela left it late to get the winner, Giancarlo Maldonado heading home with one minute remaining, before adding his second in injury time with a well-placed lob over stand-in goalkeeper Luis Guttierez.

South American 2010 World Cup Qualifiers: Round 4

The fourth round of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup take place over the next two days in South America.

The fixtures are as follows:



20th:
Venezuela vs Bolivia (live on Sky Sports 1 from 10:30pm)
Colombia vs Argentina (live on Sky Sports 1 from 12:40am, 21st)

21st:
Ecuador vs Peru
Brazil vs Uruguay (live on Sky Sports 1 from 11:45pm)
Chile vs Paraguay

Draws the Order of the Day in 2010 Qualifiers

Peru held Brazil to a famous 1-1 draw in Lima, whilst a double strike from veteran striker Marcelo Salas earned Chile a 2-2 draw away to Uruguay.

In a surprisingly open first half, Brazil just about edged out a spirited Peru, with Kaka giving them the lead five minutes before half time after Vagner Love had spurned an earlier chance.

The second half looked like it would follow a similar pattern, with Ronaldinho and Luis Fabiano both forcing good saves from Peru keeper Penny. However, as the half continued Peru started to put Brazil under more pressure in the defensive third. They got their reward after seventy minutes when Juan Vargas' effort was deflected past Julio Cesar by Brazil defender Lucio.

Brazil rallied and could have won the game in injury time, but Juan's header crashed off the crossbar and behind for a goal kick. The game ended at 1-1, leaving Peru to celebrate a famous draw, whilst Brazil will now reflect on the ever growing gap between them and Argentina at the top of the table.

In the final game of this round of qualifiers, Uruguay took a late first-half lead against Chile in Montevideo through Luis Suarez. Only an exceptional performance by Claudio Bravo in the Chilean goal kept the score down to one in a first half that Uruguay dominated.

Chile started the second half in much better form, inspired by the skillful Carlos Villanueva and equalised after fifty-eight minutes; Marcelo Salas heading in from close range.

Salas added his second from the penalty spot ten minutes later to put Chile in front, but they could not hold on for the victory, with Washington Abreu equalising for Uruguay with nine minutes left on the clock.

Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia Win in 2010 Qualifiers

Argentina continued their one hundred percent start to the World Cup 2010 Qualifiers, defeating Bolivia 3-0 at El Monumental, while Paraguay and Colombia also celebrated victories in round 3 of the Qualifying schedule.

Sergio Aguero marked his first competitive international start with his first goal for Argentina, heading in from a yard out after Martin Demichelis headed the ball back across goal from a Carlos Tevez cross. Argentina controlled the first half, with Lionel Messi is scintillating form, but were only able to get the one goal, going in 1-0 up at half time.

Bolivia were slightly more adventurous in the second half, but still rarely threatened the Argentina goal as the hosts started to turn on the style. Early in the half, Juan Riquelme saw a free-kick tipped over by Carlos Arias in the Bolivian goal, but returned moments later to send a dead-ball curling in off the inside of the post, leaving Arias with no chance.

Riquelme got his second and Argentina's third with quarter of an hour to go, after a brilliant run from the half way line by Lionel Messi, who put the ball on a plate for Riquelme to calmly curl home and secure the victory.

Paraguay turned on the style, defeating Ecuador 5-1 to continue their impressive start to the qualifying tournament. A double strike from Christian Riveros, along with single goals from Haedo Valdez, Roque Santa Cruz and Nestor Ayala gave them a comfortable victory, with Ivan Kaviedes getting Ecuador's scant consolation effort. Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez resigned after the game.

In the final game of the day, Colombia left it late to defeat Venezuela in Bogota, with a Ruben Dario Bustas strike, ten minutes from time, enough to give them victory in a tightly-contested match.

World Cup 2010 Qualifiers Round 3 Fixtures

The third round of qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup take place in South America this weekend.

The fixtures are as follows:



17th:
Argentina vs Bolivia (2nd half live on Sky Sports 1 from 8.00pm)
Colombia vs Venezuela
Paraguay vs Ecuador

18th:
Uruguay vs Chile (live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.00pm)
Peru vs Brazil (live on Sky Sports 1 from 9.00pm)

Tevez, Messi and Aguero Up Front for Argentina Against Bolivia

Despite recalling Hernan Crespo to his squad, Alfio Basile looks set to go with the three most in form strikers for Argentina's game against Bolivia this evening.

Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero have all started the season in scintillating form for their respective club sides and it seems Basile is keen to go with three small, quick and skillful players up front for this game.

Juan Riquelme will sit behind the three forwards, with Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano doing the holding in midfield.

Basile is expected to stick with the same goalkeeper and back four as the previous qualifiers, with Javier Zanetti, Gabriel Milito, Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze in front of Roberto Abbondanzieri in goal.

Basile Tinkers With Argentina Formation

Argentina coach Alfio Basile is thought to be considering a 4-3-3 formation for Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, reverting from his usual 4-1-2-1-2 setup.

With Hernan Crespo back in the squad, Basile was left with a decision whether to drop Carlos Tevez in favour of a return for the Inter Milan striker. With Tevez in such good form at club level, it seems Basile does not want to leave him out of the team and will therefore play both him and Crespo in a three-pronged attack with Lionel Messi.

In training yesterday they lined up with three up front; Federico Insua in the hole behind them; and Cambiasso and Mascherano in defensive midfield positions. Juan Riquelme sat out the session due to a cold, but is expected to take the place held by Insua once he has recovered.

Argentina play Bolivia in the first of two qualifiers in this international period and although Basile looks certain to use this attacking formation against Erwin Sanchez's team, it remains to be seen whether he will continue with it against the tougher opposition of Colombia in the second game.

Basile Completes Argentina Squad For Upcoming WC Qualifiers

Alfio Basile has added Hugo Ibarra, Sebastian Battaglia and German Denis to his previously named squad for the upcoming 2010 World Cup Qualifiers against Bolivia and Colombia.

In a surprise move, Basile has done River Plate coach Daniel Passarella a massive favour, by not calling up Juan Carrizo or Fernando Belluschi to the squad. This leaves them free to play for River in Wednesday's Copa Sudamericana semi-final against Arsenal de Sarandi.

Bolivia Name Squad for Next set of World Cup Qualifiers

Bolivia coach Erwin Sanchez has named his squad for their upcoming qualifying games against Argentina on the 17th November and Venezuela on the 20th.

The squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Galarza, Arias and Daniel Vaca.

Defenders: Hoyos, Gatty Ribeiro, Raldes, Amador, Limbert Méndez, Luis Gutiérrez, Verduguez and Alejandro Gómez.

Midfielders: Ronald García, Nicolás Suárez, Lima, Mojica, Ronald Gutiérrez, Campos, Joselito Vaca and Limberg Gutiérrez.

Forwards: Arce, Moreno, Martins and Cabrera.

Injury Worries for Chile Boss Bielsa

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa is facing an injury crisis ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay later this month.

Mark Gonzalez, Gary Medal and Marco Estrada are all out injured, with Marcelo Salas and Humberto Suazo doubts.

In addition, Manuel Iturra is out of the games through suspension.

Crespo Back in Argentina Squad for Bolivia and Colombia Games

Argentina coach Alfio Basile has recalled Hernan Crespo to the national squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Bolivia and Colombia.

Crespo has missed the last three squads due to the injury he picked up during the Copa America, but Basile has been quick to call on the striker now that he has returned to full fitness.

Crespo's inclusion means that Javier Saviola has been dropped out of the squad. Also missing are Getafe pair Oscar Ustari and Daniel Diaz, and Mallorca midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, who is currently injured.

Juan Riquelme is again included in the squad, despite having not played a competitive club match since the summer.

Kaka Silences Boo Boys, Chile and Paraguay Win

Brazil put in another lacklustre performance for seventy minutes against Ecuador before coming to life in the last twenty, adding four goals to record a 5-0 victory.

Vagner Love gave Brazil the lead after eighteen minutes, tapping in after Maicon had burst into the box and layed the chance on a plate for the CSKA Moscow striker. Brazil struggled to break through the Ecuador defence for the rest of the first half and the majority of the second, looking slack in possession and lacking any sort of cutting edge up front.

The Maracana crowd were becoming increasingly frustrated, especially with the performance of Kaka, starting to boo the AC Milan player every time he received the ball. Kaka provided the perfect response by firing a long range effort which was deflected into the net by Ronaldinho. Minutes later Kaka got on the score-sheet himself, sending a curling effort into the top right hand corner past the despairing dive of Daniel Viteri in the Ecuador goal.

With the Ecuador defence starting to open up on every attack, Brazil added another two goals in the remaining ten minutes. Robinho showed some silky skills to beat Ulises De La Cruz on the byline and his cross deflected to the substitute Elano, who half-volleyed home from inside the area. Kaka then added his second with a weak shot from the edge of the area which Viteri somehow let slip through his grasp.

The final scoreline did flatter Brazil, who for large periods of the game looked a shell of their normal selves. However, no-one will complain at a 5-0 victory and they will be satisfied with four points from their opening two qualifiers.

Chile got their campaign back on track, defeating Peru 2-0 in Santiago. Goals from Humberto Suazo in the first half and Matias Fernandez in the second allowed Chile to cruise to a comfortable victory.

Paraguay beat Uruguay 1-0 thanks to a strike on fifteen minutes by Nelson Valdez, and Bolivia and Colombia drew 0-0 in the last game of the round.

The next two rounds of qualifying games will take place on the 17th and 20th of November.

Milito and Messi on target as Argentina defeat Venezuela

Argentina continued their perfect start to the 2010 World Cup qualifying series by recording a 2-0 victory over a hard-working, enthusiastic Venezuela side in Maracaibo.

The hosts had the better of the first half, but were unable to seriously test Roberto Abbondanzieri in the Argentina goal. Despite holding the majority of possession, they found themselves 2-0 down at half time as a Gabriel Milito header from a Juan Riquelme free-kick and a stunner from Lionel Messi gave Argentina a comfortable lead at the break.

The second half started with Venezuela determined to get back into the game, creating two good chances within five minutes of the restart. First, Juan Arango got free on the right hand side of the penalty area, but could only produce a weak shot that was easily saved by Abbondanzieri. Moments later, Giancarlo Maldonado headed over from a corner having lost his marker with a run to the near post.

Venezuela continued to pressure the Argentine back-line for the rest of the half, with their opponents always looking dangerous on the counter attack with the pace of Lionel Messi. The home side were just unable to break through the resolute defence of the Argentines, who survived the onslaught to record a well-earned victory.

Alfio Basile gave German Denis his first cap, coming on for the last ten minutes, but the Independiente striker missed a guilt-edged chance in injury time to get off the mark at international level.

Gabriel Heinze is only injury worry for Argentina ahead of Venezuela clash

Argentina coach Alfio Basile looks set to name a unchanged side against Venezuela tonight, preferring to stick with the same eleven that provided success against Chile.

The only injury doubt is Gabriel Heinze who has some muscle damage in his left leg and may be rested for the tie so as not to inflame the problem. If he is rested, either Hugo Ibarra or Nicolas Burdisso are expected to be brought into the side.

There were reports after the Chile game that Carlos Tevez may be dropped in favour of Sergio Aguero. However, it seems that despite his lacklustre performance in that match, Basile is content to give Tevez another chance up front against Venezuela.

As for Venezuela, star man Juan Arango is a doubt after picking up a knock in their win over Ecuador, but is likely to play some part in the match. Otherwise, they have a clean bill of health, although boss Richard Paez has hinted that they may adopt a more attacking approach against the Argentines and therefore may make a couple of changes from their last match.

Second round of 2010 qualifiers in South America, Argentina and Brazil live on Sky Sports

The next set of games in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers will be played over the next two days, with a couple of games being shown live by Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.

The fixtures are as follows:


16/10
Venezuela vs Argentina (live on Sky Sports 1 from 1:30am tonight/Wednesday morning)

17/10
Bolivia vs Colombia
Paraguay vs Uruguay
Chile vs Peru
Brazil vs Ecuador (live on Sky Sports 1 from 12:50am Wednesday night/Thursday morning)

FIFA.com will also provide live updates on the scores for the Brazil and Argentina games for those who are unable to get television coverage for their games.

Impressive Colombia draw with limp Brazil

Brazil will feel fortunate to have come away with a draw from their opening 2010 qualifier, after a young Colombia side performed better than their established stars for large portions of the game in Bogota.

Colombia had the best of a rain-delayed first half in front of the noisy home crowd, with Watson Renteria twice forcing saves from Julio Cesar in the Brazilian goal. Both sides had definite penalties waved away by referee Carlos Amarilla, with Colombia manager Jorge Luis Pinto sent to the stands for his protest.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Brazil again looking sluggish and Colombia's high tempo attacks looking likely to break through their defence. Substitutes Freedy Grisales and Aldo Leao Ramirez saw long range strikes saved by Julio Cesar, but the Colombians couldn't find the goal they deserved to cap a strong performance.

Brazil's solitary effort of note came from Mineiro, who saw his fierce long range drive well held by Agustin Julio in the Colombian goal.

Dunga will be content to have come away with a draw against a rampant Colombia side, but Brazilian fans will be expecting more when they face Ecuador at home on Wednesday. Jorge Luis Pinto will be greatly encouraged by the performance of his side and will hope they can get a result away to Bolivia, also on Wednesday.

High-five for Uruguay, Riquelme double for Argentina and more, as 2010 Qualifying kicks off

Despite having not played competitively since the summer's Copa America, Juan Riquelme was in fine form for Argentina, scoring two spectacular first half free kicks in their 2-0 win over Chile. The Argentine's were always in control of the match, but failed to add a third goal in the second half, despite the dismissal of Cristian Alvarez after 55 minutes for the Chileans.

Uruguay got their campaign off to a flier with a 5-0 thrashing of Bolivia in Montevideo. Amazingly, they had five different goalscorers, with first half strikes from Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan added to in the second half by goals from Sebastien Abreu, Vicente Sanchez and Carlos Bueno.

Venezuela provided the first surprise result of the group by winning 1-0 away from home against Ecuador. A well struck free kick from defender Juan Manual Rey in the 67th minute was enough to defeat a lacklustre Ecuador side, for whom Cristian Benitez should have done better with two first half efforts.

In the final game played yesterday, Peru and Paraguay played out a bore draw as they drew 0-0 in Lima.

Tonight, Colombia play Brazil in the final game of this round, with the Colombians looking to make amends for their disappointing Copa America campaign and Brazil hoping to continue their success from that competition into the qualifying tournament.

Riquelme in Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers

With the South American world cup qualifying campaign due to kick off on the 13 October, many managers have started to announce their squads for the upcoming games.

In what may seem a surprising move, Argentina coach Alfio Basile has called up Juan Riquelme to his squad, despite the playmaker having not played competitive football for three months, due to his fallout with Villarreal and subsequent inability to secure a move away before the transfer deadline.

An article in Ole (Spanish link), has summarised that Basile doesn't believe that anyone else can offer the same playmaking ability as Riquelme, and he is therefore loathe to give up that option. Although he does have players like Pablo Aimar and Federico Insua, who can both fill the 'Number 10' position, no-one quite masters the position in the same way that Riquelme does.

Basile is keen to get Riquelme over to Argentina as soon as possible, so that he can assess his fitness, and make sure he is up to match speed, before their first qualifying game against former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa's Chile.