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Uruguay defeated Peru in the deciding game to secure their place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
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Ecuador were surprisingly defeated by Paraguay but still qualified
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On the last day of play, Peru, Colombia and Chile will determine the last intercontinental play-off participant to play against the representative of Asia
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Brazil and Argentina emerged victorious from South America qualifying and two other teams secured their ticket to the next FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December. That matchday will conclude with Argentina versus Venezuela on Friday and with just one matchday left it is already clear that three sides will decide among themselves the CONMEBOL representative who will take on the Asian representative in the intercontinental playoff in June.
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Uruguay did the job
After Uruguay had spent most of the qualification in rather choppy waters, the association decided to make a change after the away defeat against Bolivia: Long-time coach Tabárez was fired and Diego Alonso succeeded him as national coach. This immediately showed its effect and the Celeste secured qualification with three wins in a row and thus secured their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.
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The last and decisive victory came against Peru on Thursday in the renovated Estadio Centenario. In a tense encounter, Ricardo Gareca’s side displayed all the skills needed to justify a presence in Qatar, but striker Gianluca Lapadula failed to capitalize on mistakes in the opposition’s defence.
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Uruguay kept their nerves with goalkeeper Sergio Rochet as a rock in the surf and in turn took the lead through a goal from Giorgian de Arrascaeta in the 42nd minute. Peru remained combative, never gave up and demanded everything from Rochet, the goalkeeper of Nacional Montevideo: In a passionate final phase, he was able to stop the ball just before the line after a cross from Miguel Trauco and thus became a national hero.
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The three points allowed Uruguay to qualify directly for the fourth World Cup in a row. The two-time world champions in 1930 and 1950 have become a significant team today: they finished fourth in South Africa in 2010, reached the round of 16 in Brazil in 2014 and finished fifth in Russia 2018 after losing the quarter-finals to eventual world champions France. With a new coaching staff and seasoned veterans like Luis Suárez, Diego Godín and Edinson Cavani, Uruguay promise to be a protagonist again in Qatar. Peru, on the other hand, will have to wait until the final matchday to know their fate.
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Ecuador finally qualifies for a World Cup again
Paraguay had already failed and had no real goals in qualifying, but you should never underestimate your opponents in South America. Ecuador, all but assured of qualification after draws against Brazil and Peru, traveled to opposition Estadio Antonio Aranda to cap off a spectacular qualification. But nothing went as Gustavo Alfaro had hoped, apart from qualifying, of course: the hosts won 3-1 with goals from Robert Morales, Miguel Almirón and an own goal from Piero Hincapié.
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Despite the defeat, Ecuador returned home with a ticket to Qatar 2022, marking their fourth World Cup qualifier in the country’s history. After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Gustavo Alfaro has put the spotlight back on the country, which was at Japan and Korea 2002, Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. With his young and talented side, the final game against Argentina at home in front of his own fans will be an ideal opportunity to celebrate a side looking forward to the World Cup draw on April 1st.
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Three applicants for one ticket
There will be an exciting final day in South America. While no team can fly direct to Qatar anymore, there is still one ticket with a stopover up for grabs: the intercontinental play-off duel against the Asian representative. Peru, Colombia and Chile will be the protagonists in the fight for the coveted ticket. The Peruvians, in fifth place with 21 points, have their destiny in their own hands: if they take the three points, no other result will affect their qualification. The team coached by Ricardo Gareca also finished in that place in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, securing a place in the play-off against New Zealand.
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Colombia (20 points) beat Bolivia 3-0 to finally score again after seven games without a goal. Their final opponent will be Venezuela, now beaten by José Néstor Pékerman, an old acquaintance of the coffee growers, is trained. Colombia desperately need the three points while also needing at least a Paraguay draw to overtake Peru in the table. The situation in Chile is even more delicate. After the defeat against home power Brazil, the Roja win at home against Uruguay and neither of the two direct competitors can win at the same time.
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