CONMEBOL 2014 World Cup qualifying: Colombia advance, Venezuela eliminated

Less than two minutes later Argentina earned a dubious corner kick that was taken by Ángel Di Maria. Federico Fernandez got free in the area and sent a header on frame that was chaotically blocked by goalkeeper Diego Penny. He couldn’t control the rebound at all though and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who was lurking at the far post, happily poked the loose ball over the line to pull Argentina back even at 1-1.

La Albiceleste wasted little time expanding their lead in the second half as Palacio got on the board in the 47th minute. Sergio Agüero’s pass from the top of the area wide to Marcos Rojo created the chance and it was the deft finish by Palacio in front of Penny that capped it off.

Within five minutes of taking the lead Suárez offered up a stark reminder of the threat Uruguay pose in attack, though his spectacular effort on the turn went just wide. Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia was causing huge problems for opposite number Cristian Rodríguez, finding acres of space to exploit in behind the wing-back. He offered up an opportunity for Caicedo to double the advantage, though the striker couldn’t convert.

They were unfortunate not to be two up within ten minutes of the restart after Antonio Valencia resumed his storming runs down the right, though Uruguay seemed to be ominously growing into the game. Ecuador keeper Alexander Domínguez just about smothered a long range shot before Suárez could pounce on the rebound, with La Celeste now in control of possession.

Chile would score twice more in the first half to take a huge lead heading into the locker room, with Barcelona man Alexis Sanchez scoring on both occasions. He made the most of a knockdown in the box by Jorge Valvida in the 22nd minute, finishing from close range, then scored again on a corner in the 30th minute.

Colombia: Ospina, Armero, Yepes, Perea, Medina (Guarin 45’), Cuadrado, Sanchez (Bacca 67’), Aguilar (Torres 45’), Rodriguez, Falcao, Gutierrez

The misses became comical. Both Gonzalez and Miku contrived to knock the ball straight to Villar when it looked easier to score, and by midway through the second half, more shots had fizzed just wide of the post than were expended in the war of the Triple Alliance. Still, a goal wouldn’t come, and Venezuela needed two.

They finally got their lifeline in the 82nd minute, when Luis Seijas’ long-range effort took a slight deflection before going in off Villar’s left-hand post. But they’d left it too late, and despite throwing everyone forward during injury time, simply could not find that second goal.

Friday’s slate of CONMEBOL action features some of the most exciting matchups the continent has seen so far in qualifying. Among the early games is this one, pitting the second- and third-placed teams in South America against each other.

Colombia have stuck with two-striker formations throughout qualifying due to their depth at the position, as well as the number of box-to-box midfielders they have at their disposal. Chile have played with a back four during their last two matches, but don’t be surprised to see them go back to a three-man defense to give them a favorable matchup against Falcao and his likely strike partner, Teofilo Gutierrez.