Brazil, Argentina stumble as CONMEBOL's World Cup race heats up

It is the tip of yet one more topsy-turvy spherical of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in South America.

Brazil coach Dorival Junior poured gas on the hearth by promising that his workforce would attain the 2026 World Cup last, earlier than promptly dropping 1-0 to Paraguay on Tuesday. Argentina, in the meantime, is transitioning from the Lionel Messi period and struggled in a 2-1 defeat to Colombia.

These losses, mixed with some shock victories elsewhere, have ensured that the CONMEBOL table is looking mouth-wateringly tight throughout the board. Tim Vickery takes a have a look at the main speaking factors from the worldwide window.

Brazil are miles away from residing as much as a daring promise

Maybe it was the response of a person beneath strain after final Friday evening’s completely undistinguished 1-0 win over Ecuador, however Brazil coach Dorival Junior deserted his usually cautious profile within the build-up to spherical eight of South America’s marathon World Cup qualification marketing campaign. He assured that his workforce can be within the 2026 World Cup last — after which his workforce went out and confirmed simply how a lot work he has in entrance of him if that is to come back true. Brazil misplaced 1-0 to a Paraguay aspect that had managed only one purpose within the earlier seven rounds, and which Brazil hammered 4-1 within the latest Copa America.

And the issue, simply because it was in opposition to Ecuador, simply because it was within the Copa America matches in opposition to Colombia and Uruguay, is that the workforce is creating subsequent to nothing. There isn’t any collective groove. Bruno Guimarães is a logo of an underperforming midfield, however a lot of the issue seems extra structural than particular person. The complete-backs are usually not working as additional midfielders, serving to within the build-up, or as auxiliary wingers, developing with a provide of crosses.

And it’s proving laborious to play with out a No. 9 — Brighton’s Joao Pedro improved issues barely when he got here on at half-time, giving the workforce some form of platform. However the lack of collective connections is a big fear, particularly as Dorival Junior had a chronic interval together with his gamers through the Copa America. He raved in regards to the high quality of the coaching classes. None of this may be seen when it issues.

The excellent news is that subsequent month Brazil play Chile and Peru — the underside two groups within the desk — and so they need to be capable of construct up some momentum. Within the meantime, there’s a rising urgency to see a match Neymar again on the sphere.

Argentina life past Messi

Ángel Di María retired from worldwide soccer after the Copa America and obtained a particular tribute earlier than final Thursday’s 3-0 win over Chile. And with Lionel Messi nonetheless recovering from damage, there was a youthful look in regards to the Argentina assault over the course of those FIFA dates. Accountability is passing to a brand new era.

Julián Álvarez within the Messi position makes room for Lautaro Martínez to play at centre-forward. And additional accountability has been handed to Nico Gonzalez on the left wing, a participant who missed the World Cup via damage however whose versatility is extremely rated by coach Lionel Scaloni.

This has labored moderately effectively. Two late targets in opposition to Chile gave the scoreline an additional shine final week however Argentina, amid fixed stoppages and within the searing afternoon warmth of Barranquilla, have been unable to provide you with a second equaliser in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia. There have been some candy passing actions linking the midfield to the assault however, within the absence of Messi and Di Maria, there was an absence of the sort of particular person expertise that may undress defences in one-on-one conditions.

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With Messi, regrettably, nearing the tip, there’s a must develop this kind of participant so as to add additional selection to the workforce. This, then, is a vital season for Alejandro Garnacho. The Manchester United winger got here on for the final quarter-hour of the match in opposition to Chile and seemed sharp, however was not used in opposition to Colombia even when Argentina have been chasing the sport. His membership type can be monitored intently, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how a lot time he’s given subsequent month in opposition to Venezuela and Bolivia.

Suarez ends Uruguay profession on unusual notice

In two methods, final week’s announcement from Luis Suárez that he was ending his worldwide profession got here as one thing of a shock.

Firstly, he left the scene in the course of the FIFA date. He wished to bow out in entrance of his personal crowd in Montevideo, and so performed final Friday at house to Paraguay — however then was not obtainable for Tuesday’s go to to Venezuela.

Secondly, he opted to give up in Uruguay’s hour of want. Only a few days earlier than his announcement, 5 gamers had been handed suspensions as a consequence of the confusion on the finish of the Copa America semifinal, and the longest suspension (5 video games) was given to centre-forward Darwin Núñez. At that time it gave the impression to be the prospect for Suarez to step up: He may fill the hole for these 5 matches and depart the scene in November.

So why did it not end up like that? The apparent clarification is that the connection with coach Marcelo Bielsa shouldn’t be the most effective. At all times searching for dynamism, Bielsa could effectively have knowledgeable Suarez that he wouldn’t be the automated first selection, even within the absence of Nunez — and in that gentle Suarez could effectively have come to the conclusion that he was ready to again up Nunez, however not anybody else. And so Suarez left on his personal phrases, in his personal time.

This may occasionally not have been the most effective factor for Uruguay, whose significantly depleted workforce have been held to 2 goalless attracts. His absence was felt in opposition to Venezuela, and his presence could have been a hindrance at house to Paraguay. The search for World Cup qualification factors ended up being overshadowed by the farewell of Suarez, and it’s potential that Bielsa felt beneath an obligation to play the veteran striker for the total 90 minutes. Suarez has given a lot to the Uruguayan trigger for thus lengthy, making this a wierd option to bow out.

Colombia discover one thing new

Colombia are the one unbeaten workforce within the discipline and gathered 4 extra factors over the previous few days with a draw away to Peru adopted by a win over Argentina.

The James Rodríguez present continues, although he has but to take the sphere for Rayo Vallecano, his newest membership. However his appreciation of area, his vary of passing finish, particularly, his splendidly struck free kicks stay important to the trigger.

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However the huge win for Colombia in these FIFA dates was the emergence of Jhon Durán. Objectives have been an issue for Colombia — it was the rationale they missed out on Qatar. Duran has been the good hope for some time, however the Aston Villa striker has reduce a irritating determine. He was so low down the pecking order that he solely made a single substitute look within the Copa America.

However he has made an excellent begin to the Premier League season and seems to have matured. His introduction saved the sport in opposition to Peru, whose defence couldn’t address him within the air. And, given a begin in opposition to Argentina, he performed a key position within the transfer that ended up with Colombia being awarded the decisive penalty.

The necessity to accommodate Rodriguez makes life tough for the attacking accomplice of Luis Díaz. In opposition to Argentina, Duran was usually to be discovered working again down the correct flank, preserving him removed from purpose and making issues awkward for a left footed striker. However Duran has proven over the previous few days that he may very well be the lacking a part of coach Nestor Lorenzo’s jigsaw. It was maybe an act of immaturity to select up a yellow card as he delayed leaving the sphere when he was substituted. It means he’s suspended for the subsequent recreation. Nevertheless, he could have acted properly in lacking the journey to the dreaded altitude of Bolivia and may come roaring again a number of days later at house to Chile.

The shock winners

Just one workforce registered victories in each the final two rounds – and, astonishingly, that workforce was Bolivia. There isn’t any huge shock in Bolivia successful at house. The intense altitude of La Paz is a nightmare for unacclimatised guests, and now Bolivia have made it even tougher. Their ordinary base is a stadium some 3,600 metres above sea stage.

Final Thursday they took Venezuela even larger, to the aptly named El Alto stadium close to the airport, over 4,000 metres above the ocean. The result was a 4-0 win, and a way that Bolivia may make it to this expanded World Cup just by concentrating on successful the house video games. The primary purpose — with a 40-yard shot typical of altitude — got here from Ramiro Vaca, who celebrated by eradicating his shirt, fairly pleased to select up a yellow card and be suspended for Tuesday’s go to to Chile.

Bolivia had not gained away from house in World Cup qualification for 31 years and 67 video games. Nobody anticipated them to select up even a draw in opposition to Chile. However their opponents, over-desperate to ensure of the three factors, picked an unbalanced aspect. Chile have been top-heavy and Bolivia made them pay, taking a 2-1 lead simply earlier than half-time and defending it grimly all through the second half. The final time the World Cup was in North America was the final time that Bolivia certified. These previous few days have put them again within the race for a slot in 2026.