The global champions Argentina made it three wins in a row in South American global Cup qualification on Thursday with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over a motivated Paraguay thanks to an incredible 85th-minute equalizer from Eduard Bello.
Darwin Nunez’s stoppage time penalty helped Uruguay rally to a 2-2 tie with Colombia in Barranquilla, while Chile defeated Peru 2-0 and Ecuador earned their first points with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bolivia.
Argentina under Lionel Scaloni just needed a goal in the third minute from Nicolas Otamendi, and when Lionel Messi came off the bench in the second half, he twice hit the woodwork.
Brazil had never lost to Venezuela in a competitive match, and they have only ever lost to the Vinotinto once before, in World Cup qualifying in 2009. However, Bello’s spectacular late leveler left Brazil feeling dissatisfied.
In the 49th minute, Neymar’s shot was blocked, giving Brazil the lead. From the next corner, which was also taken by Neymar, Arsenal defender Gabriel leapt at the near post and expertly angled the ball home.
The goal compelled Venezuela to adopt a more daring strategy, and Wilker Angel glanced a header from a 62nd-minute corner just wide.
The Real Madrid winger Rodrygo then found himself in an excellent position in the box, but he fired his attempt into the side netting.
With only five minutes remaining, Bello leapt acrobatically to send a magnificent overhead kick past Ederson after Jefferson Savarino whipped in a cross. The Cuiaba home crowd was left speechless.
Brazil now occupies the second spot in the 10-team qualifying standings, two spots behind Argentina and two up on Colombia.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner started the game on the bench as Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez led the attack as Messi’s battle to regain full fitness naturally dominated the lead-up to Argentina’s quest to keep their perfect record intact.
The attacking spark, however, came from veteran defender Otamandi, who brilliantly volleyed in at the back post in response to a corner kick from Rodrigo De Paul.
Three minutes before halftime, De Paul of Atletico Madrid came near to extending the lead when he hit the post, and shortly after that, Nicolas Gonzalez narrowly missed the target.
In the 53rd minute, Messi came on to replace Alvarez as Scaloni attempted to break down the organized and disciplined Paraguayan defense. However, the woodwork prevented their superstar.
After winning a free kick on the edge of the box, Messi curled his attempt against the same post after a right-handed inswinging corner nearly went in.
After Mateus Uribe gave Colombia a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute, they suffered for a string of missed opportunities to end the match.
In the 35th minute, James Rodriguez gave Colombia the lead after first controlling a cross from Santiago Arias with his right foot before burying it with his left.
Just one minute after the restart, Mathias Olivera headed in a corner from Nicolas de la Cruz while unattended to tie the score for Uruguay.
However, Colombia took the lead again when Rafael Borre’s low cross was tucked in by Uribe after Luis Diaz sprinted inside from the left wing and feed him.
Luis Diaz then missed a glorious chance for a third when he was sent through, one on one, with the goalkeeper but scooped his shot high over the bar.
Rodriguez saw a low shot from inside the box strike the post and a minute later fed Jhon Arias, who clipped his shot against the bar.
Camilo Vargas, the goalkeeper for Colombia, rushed off his line and clashed with Maximiliano Araujo, allowing Uruguay to escape with a point.
The Liverpool striker Nunez held his composure to convert the penalty and give Marcelo Bielsa’s team a crucial point after Vargas was sent off for receiving a second yellow card.
The 16-year-old Ecuadorian sensation Kendry Paez gave his team the lead against Bolivia in La Paz in the 45th minute to become the youngest player to score in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier.
Rodrigo Ramallo’s excellent shot on the turn pulled Bolivia even before a defensive blunder allowed Ecuador’s Kevin Rodriguez to score the game-winning goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time, leaving Bolivia without a point.
Chile defeated Peru 2-0 thanks to goals from Diego Valdes and Marcos Lopez in the second half. With four points, Chile is now tied with Uruguay and Venezuela for fifth position. With one point each, Paraguay and Peru are now outside the qualification spots.