CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying: Colombia Slaughter Uruguay; Argentina Win Comfortably

Angel Di Maria opened the scoring just two minutes into the match with a great individual effort, completely throwing Paraguay off their counter-attacking gameplan. Incredibly, they were able to get back into the match thanks to a handball in the box by Rodrigo Braña, which gifted Paraguay a penalty. Jonathan Fabbro stepped up and converted to level the game at 1-1 in the 17th minute.

That was one of very few significant chances for Paraguay, and Argentina quickly went back to dominating the game. They reclaimed the lead 13 minutes later. with Gonzalo Higuain putting his side back on top.

Ecuador have kept themselves in the running for a spot at the 2014 World Cup, though they did so in the most dull way possible. They had no answer for Bolivia’s compact defense and midfield and lacked a striker to get on the end of anything their midfield sent into the penalty area. Fortunately for them, they won a penalty in the second half.

A 0-0 draw would have been a fair result in a boring game devoid of real scoring chances, but Ronald Raldes threw a point away for Bolivia when he brought down Luis Saritama in the box in the 70th minute. Substitute Felipe Caicedo buried the penalty to make it 1-0, and Ecuador held into that lead.

Of course, being Argentina, it starts to get a lot less impressive as we move to the rest of the team, with Rodrigo Brana and Marcos Rojo handed starts for La Albiceleste.

Ecuador endured a frustrating half of football as they struggled to break down a massed Bolivian defence at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa.

Jaime Ayovi and Narciso Mina comprised Ecuador’s front-pairing, and although Ayovi’s height did not prove effective in open play, it did result in the best chance of the game when the Al-Nassr striker managed to get on the end of a free-kick, only to see his effort denied by a superb last-ditch interception by Luis Mendez.

Radamel Falcao, who seemingly scores every time he touches the ball in the penalty area these days, scored the game’s first goal after just two minutes of play. Camilo Zuñiga set up the goal with a cross into the box, which Aldo Ramirez completely whiffed on. Fortunately for Colombia, that caused the ball to fall to Falcao, who finished first time from 10 yards.

As per usual, the best viewing during the international break can be found in South America. Four World Cup entries and one playoff spot go to CONMEBOL, even though it’s made up of just 10 nations, and all of them continue to be very good at football.

Ecuador host Bolivia, and three points in that match is essential for their qualifying chances. Venezuela goes away to a struggling Peru side in the final game of the round, and both sides will see that match as a virtual must-win.