Toro was the main character in the 1-0 success against Peru. Brazil draw with Uruguay and Danilo starts, Ecuador against Colombia
Lautaro enters the history of Argentina more and more, deciding the game against Peru (1-0) in the South American qualifiers for the next World Cup with a wonderful scissor kick on the left foot. Goal number 32 scored with Argentina, joining Maradona in fifth place among all-time scorers (Diego actually scored two more goals with the Albiceleste, but in unofficial friendlies and therefore not recognized by FIFA). This is the eleventh place in the 16 games played with the national team in 2024. Inter is smiling, even if Lautaro was squeezed out between Paraguay (scoring) and Peru. Brazil’s negative moment continues, 1-1 against Uruguay. Ecuador beat Colombia 1-0 thanks to Enner Valencia and climbs to third place with 19 points. Chile relaunch: poker for Venezuela. After the achievement against Argentina, Paraguay only had 2-2 against Bolivia.
Argentina – Peru 1-0
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Argentina earned three important points to keep the gap from second place. After the debacle against Paraguay, Lautaro Martinez decided the game in Buenos Aires with his second consecutive goal. And what a goal. In the 55th minute Messi crosses from the left into the middle, Toro coordinates and with his left foot half overhead he hits the ball into the top corner. The final game was in possession of the ball by the Albiceleste, who until the goal scored struggled to break through the wall up by the Peruvians, lack of shots towards the goal that Dibu Martinez defended. In the first half, a post from Julian Alvarez and two clear opportunities for MacAllister. Lautaro also came close to scoring a double: in a split from a free kick taken by Messi he hits it badly and sends it high. In Peru Lapadula takes the lead in the 64th minute, it’s time to take a free kick and not have an impact again. Argentina getting ahead with 25 points, Peru stuck by Chile and now giving up the back with 7 points.
Brazil – Uruguay 1-1
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The difficult moment continues for the Seleçao, with their second draw in a row after the one against Venezuela. So Brazil slips to fifth place in the group, Uruguay gets second place alone with 20 points. At the Estadio Fonte Nova in Salvador everything happens in the second half: a goal from Valverde opens in the 55th minute, a volley to the left from Gerson closes in the 62nd minute. We see Danilo back on the field, starting in the right lane as captain. For the rest, a tough game, played at a high pace and opened in the second half after the first half. Raphinha is the strongest player in Brazil at the moment, Vinicius still misses a few times. In Uruguay the Neapolitan Olivera played as a central defender, proving to be one of the best. In the next break in March Brazil will face Argentina.
the others
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Without Sanabria, who came on in the 64th minute, Paraguay did not achieve after their feat against the Argentinians: they finished 2-2 in Bolivia. What saved the Paraguayans in the 91st minute was a goal from Enciso, who was born in 2004. In the 71st minute Almiron had equalized Vaca Moreno’s opening goal. Miguelito’s penalty in the 81st minute for Bolivia’s 2-1 minute is just an illusion. With one man less from the 34th minute due to Hincapié’s expulsion, Ecuador managed to defend Enner Valencia’s dominance in the 7th minute, taking three points (1-0) and third place together with Colombia on 19 points. A lovely single from the International striker: serpentine and left foot in the corner. The more than 20 shots from the Colombians were not enough to equalize. Chile returns to winning ways after more than a year in World Cup qualifying: beat Venezuela 4-2 thanks to a brace from Cepeda, a goal from former Napoli player Edu Vargas and an own goal from Rincon. The Chileans therefore leave the last place and rise to 9 points in the big group. Arturo Vidal, who is now 37 years old, was on the field for 67 minutes.
How does Ecuador’s recent success impact their chances of qualifying for the World Cup?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Soccer Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the recent South American World Cup qualifiers. With us is renowned soccer analyst, Dr. Rosa Calderón. Rosa, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Calderón: Thank you for having me! Exciting times for soccer fans, especially in South America!
Editor: Indeed! Let’s start with Argentina’s unexpected resurgence. Lautaro Martínez scored a spectacular goal against Peru, leading Argentina to a 1-0 victory. How significant is this goal in terms of his career and the team’s morale?
Dr. Calderón: Lautaro’s scissor kick goal was phenomenal. It not only secured three points but also places him among Argentina’s all-time greats, equating his tally to that of Diego Maradona. This is a huge boost for his confidence and the team’s morale—especially after a rocky patch against Paraguay. His goal represents much more than just a score; it’s a statement that he’s ready to carry the team.
Editor: That’s a great point! With this win, Argentina now has 25 points, pushing them ahead of the competition. How crucial is it for them to maintain this momentum?
Dr. Calderón: Maintaining momentum is vital. With the World Cup nearing, every point counts. They’ve regained their footing after a setback, and consistency will be key in building up to high-stakes matches. This victory against Peru can act as a catalyst for future performances.
Editor: Let’s shift our focus to Brazil. They faced Uruguay and only managed a 1-1 draw. What do you think is causing Brazil’s struggles lately?
Dr. Calderón: It’s intriguing—Brazil has historically been a powerhouse, but recent performances indicate some underlying issues. The lack of cohesion and finishing skills is evident; they have creative players but seem to struggle with execution. The draw against Uruguay highlights a fragile phase for the team. They sit fifth in their group and will need to regroup if they want to avoid dropping out of World Cup contention.
Editor: Not to mention, they have a crucial match against Argentina coming up next. What should Brazil prioritize in their preparation for that match?
Dr. Calderón: Brazil must focus on tightening their defense and improving their finishing. They have the talent, like Raphinha and Vinicius, who are capable of turning a game around, but they need to work as a unit. Building confidence through training and perhaps adjusting tactical formations could hold the key. That match against Argentina is not only about points; it’s a matter of national pride.
Editor: Speaking of pride, Ecuador achieved a commendable victory over Colombia, moving to third place. What implications does this have for the Ecuadorian team and their future?
Dr. Calderón: Ecuador is making a name for itself in these qualifiers. With Enner Valencia stepping up, they show that they can compete with teams that historically have had the edge. This boost in confidence is essential as they eye qualification. Achieving such results against tough opponents could inspire further success.
Editor: what trends do you foresee as we approach the final stages of these qualifiers?
Dr. Calderón: Players like Lautaro and teams like Ecuador are reshaping the dynamics of South American soccer. As we move closer to the World Cup, I anticipate fierce competition, tactical innovations, and perhaps surprising outcomes. Each match will be a battle, and the capacity to handle pressure will ultimately define who qualifies.
Editor: Insightful as always, Rosa! Thank you so much for your time today.
Dr. Calderón: My pleasure! Let’s enjoy the beautiful game together as we approach the World Cup!
Editor: Absolutely! Thank you to our viewers for tuning in to this engaging discussion on South American soccer. Until next time!