Venezuela and Ecuador remained calm with a dull 0-0, while Peru fell 2-0 to Bolivia and was on the brink of the abyss, this Thursday at the start of the fifth term of the World Cup that still promises various emotions such as the return of striker Luis Suárez to the Celeste , his coach Marcelo Bielsa facing the Argentine team and Luis Díaz safe after his father’s kidnapping.

Red wine with a good taste

Venezuela drew 0-0 at home in Maturín against Ecuador and remains in the direct qualification zone for the World Cup, a dream for a team that has never participated in a major soccer event.

In a difficult game, but without major risky actions, Vinotinto showed personality and soon took off the Cinderella jersey that he wore for years with the hope of reaching the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The team led by Argentine Fernando Batista achieved interesting results in the previous two-day period, in October, especially the 1-1 draw against Brazil at home.

Ecuador (now on five points) were trailing after being penalized by TAS with the loss of three points for the illegal inclusion of winger Byron Castillo in the last tie.

Despite this, Ecuador has earned the right to be considered a highly regarded team in South America, having qualified for four of the six World Cups held this century.

He fell Undefeated

Uruguay ended this Thursday the unbeaten record that Lionel Messi’s Argentina had since winning the World Cup in Qatar 2022, in the fifth term of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, in which Luis Díaz thrilled everyone by scoring two goals for Colombia 2 -1 victory over Brazil.

In a lively and intense game at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, Marcelo Bielsa’s Celeste secured their first ever win in Argentina in the knockout stages with goals from Ronald Araujo (41) and Darwin Núñez (88).

In doing so, Uruguay ended the Albiceleste’s fourteen-match unbeaten run, which has not lost since its debut in Qatar 2022 against Saudi Arabia.

After that fall, Argentina played six World Cup games, four friendlies and the first four of these qualifiers without losing. Despite this, they lead on 12 points, followed by Uruguay on 10, and will now need to put the slump behind them to face Tuesday’s South American classic against defeatist Brazil at the Maracana.

Caresses in Barranquilla

Two-time striker Luis Díaz gave Colombia their first win against Brazil in World Cup history, with his father celebrating emotionally in the stands after the hijack, on a day when Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay pulled off a 2-0 upset away to Argentina to end a long record without defeat for the world champion.

Despite the defeat, Argentina remained the leader in the standings with 12 points, followed by Uruguay with two points less, and Colombia on the podium with 9 points. A step below was Venezuela with 8, while Brazil barely has 7 and Ecuador is sixth with 5, completing South America’s six direct spots for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Bolivia breathes

The long South American qualifying round, which will be played until September 2025, has already left Peru facing the uncertainty of early elimination for the fifth term if it does not urgently improve its course.

Henry Vaca scored the first goal in the 20th minute and Ramiro Vaca added in the 87th for La Verde, sending Peru to last place in the table with 1 point.

The Altiplano team with a new coach, Brazilian Zaga, scored the first three points and arouses new enthusiasm, although Bolivia will have to fight to the end.

Peru still haven’t gotten over the departure of Ricardo Gareca, under whose leadership they qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a 36-year absence, and haven’t made a replacement for figures like historic goalscorer Paolo Guerrero, still in form but at 39 years old.

Goodbye, Berizzo

Argentina’s Eduardo Berizzo resigned as Chile’s technical director this Thursday following a lackluster 0-0 draw against Paraguay in the fifth round of South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“I expressed my desire to hand over my duties to the president of the Federation. The results were not what we expected and that is worth acknowledging,” said ‘Toto’ Berizzo in a short conference after the draw in Santiago.

Now without Berizzo, who picked up just one win in official matches during his time with the Chilean side, La Roja will have to visit Ecuador on Tuesday at 2,850 meters above sea level in Quito.

“I think the chances of qualification are there, they are intact, I hope the climate clears up so that Chile can qualify” for the World Cup, Berizzo commented after his resignation.

With a zero result, Paraguay is seventh with five points and is in the playoff zone. Chile is eighth with the same score, but a worse goal difference. (D)