Brazil beat Chile behind domestic forces; Argentina fall short in Venezuelan 'swamp'

The best football is obviously played in Brazil! The superstars have shown what they can(not) do, suffering four defeats in eight games in South American World Cup qualifiers. Hence, it was time for the domestic forces to turn the tables for the Selecao and keep Brazil's head above water. Botafogo's duo, Igor Jesus and Luiz Henrique, annulled Eduardo Vargas' second-minute opener and won the match for the five-time World Champions in the middle of Santiago de Chile - 2-1!

The Brazilian gaffer Dorival Junior is not a prophet who sensed that Jesus would shine. Moreover, had Real Madrid's superstar Vinicius Junior been ready to play, Botafogo's forward probably wouldn't have stepped on the pitch. However, Vini's injury left a gap in the starting lineup, Dorival gave a chance to Jesus, and he repaid his manager, scoring an equalizer in the first half's added time. This way, the 23-year-old annulled Eduardo Vargas' early opener, which undoubtedly stunned the entire Brazil.

Still, that goal - scored by another Brazilian Serie A player as Vargas represents Atletico Mineiro - raised the alarm among the Selecao, who significantly improved their display and deservedly levelled minutes before the break. In the second half, Dorival desperately chased the triumph, subbing in Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes, Real's Endrick, and Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenall, all in pursuit of a winner.

And the sub indeed won the game for Brazil, but it was none of those abovementioned stars, but another Botafogo forward, Luiz Henrique, in the 89th minute. This victory moved Selecao to the fourth spot, and an expected triumph over ninth-placed Peru in five days at home could additionally increase their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

De la Fuente - creator of both European and world champions!

North of Chile, Argentina fell short against Venezuela, drawing 1-1. Nevertheless, the conditions will be discussed much more than football because they were pretty much inhumane. A downpour of rain, puddles, and mud awaited the World Champions in Maturin, and the game was even delayed for 30 minutes so that the surface could be at least slightly fixed.

Even though the conditions were below the required level and despite Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni's demands of postponement, the officials' decision was to play. The "swamp-looking" pitch was an advantage for Venezuela, and the "Wine-red" used it to the fullest, snatching a point from the favourites, although La Albiceleste threw the first punch.

Argentina broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when the experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi used Venezuela custodian Rafael Romo's mistake to make it 1-0 after a set piece, the only arrow in both teams' quivers, considering the conditions. The absence of Emiliano Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcos Acuna, Nico Gonzalez, and Paulo Dybala was notable, as Argentina did not play well despite Lionel Messi's return. Or better said, couldn't play better in the "Venezuelan pool."

The home team managed to "steal" a point behind the legendary Salomon Rondon's 65th-minute leveller - 1-1. However, given that Colombia suffered their first defeat in the campaign to Bolivia, Scaloni's crew increased the advantage over Los Cafeteros to three points, still firmly holding the top spot.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - SOUTH AMERICA

Thursday

Bolivia - Colombia 1-0 (0-0)

/Miguelito 58/

Friday

Ecuador - Paraguay 0-0

Venezuela - Argentina 1-1 (0-1)

/Rondon 65 - Otamendi 13/

Chile - Brazil 1-2 (1-1)

/Vargas 2 - Jesus I. 45+1, Henrique 89/