Kalama: Argentina beat Chile 2-1 in the South American World Cup qualifiers, while Brazil drew 1-1 with Ecuador. Brazil and Argentina have already qualified for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Chile’s World Cup hopes were overshadowed by their defeat to Argentina yesterday. With this, Argentina completed 28 consecutive matches without losing. The competition took place at the Estadio Soros del Deserto in Calama, Chile, above sea level. Argentina took the lead in the ninth minute through interim captain Di Maria in the absence of legendary captain Lionel Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni. Chile are seventh with 16 points from 15 matches. Only four teams in South America will qualify directly through the qualifying round. Fifth-place finishers must play the Asian team in the play-offs to qualify.
Ecuador’s World Cup hopes have been activated by a draw with Brazil in another match. Both the teams came out with a rough game. Ecuador’s goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez and Brazilian defender Emerson have been sent off. Casimiro put Brazil ahead in the sixth minute without Neymar. However, in the 75th minute, the hosts, Ecuador, fought back through Felix Torres. Uruguay beat Paraguay 1-0.