Ecuador and Brazil booked a spot in the 2026 World Cup!
Sports Desk, June 10 (EFE).-
Both Ecuador and Brazil booked a spot in the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, moving to second place in the standings with 25 points on Match day 16, when Chile was eliminated and leader Argentina suffered a major scare against Colombia.
Chile finished the World Cup qualifying round in South America in last place with 10 points while Venezuela, in seventh place with 18, and Bolivia, in eighth with 17, will battle for a place in the playoffs.
Miguel Terceros and Enzo Monteiro sealed Bolivia’s 2-0 victory over La Roja in El Alto, which leaves them with 17 points in eighth place, one step below the playoff spot.
At the top of the table, Colombia missed a golden opportunity against leader Argentina, playing with 10 men, to concede a 1-1 draw despite a strong performance.
The Colombian national team, which played one of its best matches against the Albiceleste, took the lead when Liverpool forward Luis Díaz showed his class and skill in the 24th minute with a stunning goal before Thiago Almada rescued Argentina with his goal in the 81st minute.
Ecuador and Brazil remained 10 points behind Argentina.
La Tricolor earned a goalless draw that left Peru in the second-last place, and the Canarinha ended Paraguay’s nine-match unbeaten streak with a goal from Vinícius Júnior.
Uruguay, with a win over Venezuela, and Paraguay, now have 24 points and are one away from securing qualification.
Rodrigo Aguirre, with a header, and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, with a long-range goal, ended Uruguay’s four-match winning streak, leaving a direct spot in the World Cup within one point.
Colombia is in sixth place on 22 points, securing the last direct qualification spot, but they are closely watched by Venezuela, which trails them by four points. EFE hbr/pd
