A drained Lionel Messi was given a break by the Argentina staff. AP
World champions Argentina rested Lionel Messi however nonetheless shined in a 3-0 victory over 10-man Bolivia in La Paz on Tuesday to take care of their profitable begin to South American World Cup qualifying.
Brazil even have the utmost six factors from two video games after an excellent Ninetieth-minute winner from Marquinhos towards Peru in Lima for the one aim of the match.
However Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay suffered a setback, giving up the result in finish with a 2-1 defeat at Ecuador.
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Messi, who has had a busy schedule together with his membership Inter Miami, watched his teammates from the bench however was not listed in its place, having complained of tiredness after scoring the winner in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador.
Regardless of the absence of their talisman Lionel Scaloni’s facet had an excessive amount of firepower for Bolivia with objectives from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez securing a powerful victory.
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez went shut with a beautiful effort from 30 yards out fantastically saved by Guillermo Viscarra, who then did effectively once more to maintain out a near-post drive from Julian Alvarez.
The full of life Alvarez had a hand in Argentina’s opener within the thirty first minute, feeding Angel Di Maria, whose low cross was turned in by Fernandez, who had made a wonderfully timed run into the field.
Eight minutes later Bolivia’s activity received even more durable when Roberto Fernandez was despatched off for an over-the-top problem on Cristian Romero.
Argentina went in on the break with a 2-0 lead after Tagliafico met a floated Di Maria free-kick with a header that looped over Viscarra.
The three-time World Cup winners had been in whole management after the break with Alvarez hitting the publish within the seventieth minute and Viscarra saved busy by efforts from Rodrigo De Paul and Di Maria.
Gonzalez wrapped up the victory seven minutes from the top with a left-footed drive after extra hesitant defending from the house facet, who’ve misplaced each their opening video games.
Scaloni was happy with the efficiency by his staff, saying they had been “not afraid to play with the ball” and in addition supplied an evidence for Messi’s absence.
“Leo was not ready to play, he tried to recover, but he did not feel comfortable,” he stated.
Masterful Marquinhos
Brazil got here up towards a decided Peru facet and appeared set to be annoyed when Raphinha’s rocket within the 72nd minute was brilliantly saved by Pedro Gallese.
However within the closing minute Neymar whipped in a nook and Marquinhos met it with a masterful glancing header that flashed into the far nook.
Colombia needed to accept some extent in a disappointing goalless attract Santiago, Chile.
Chile, with Alexis Sanchez again within the beginning line-up, had the higher of the sport, enjoying some clever soccer in possession however like their opponents they lacked a innovative.
After a powerful begin to his reign accountable for Uruguay, Argentine Bielsa noticed his staff lose to 2 objectives from Ecuador defender Felix Torres in Quito.
Uruguay took the lead within the thirty eighth minute by Agustin Canobbio however the house facet levelled simply earlier than the break when Torres rose to energy house a header from a Moises Caicedo cross.
A penalty award gave Ecuador the chance to take the lead after the break however Enner Valencia’s woeful effort from the spot flew large.
However Torres confirmed his worth once more to seize the winner, sliding right into a crowded field to show in a low cross from 16-year-old Kendry Paez.
VAR drama
Venezuela defeated Paraguay 1-0 at house because of Salomon Rondon’s injury-time penalty to boost hopes of creating the World Cup for the primary time of their historical past.
The hosts thought they’d the lead within the 78th minute when Yangel Herrera fired house, however the referee’s evaluation on the monitor concluded that the midfielder had dealt with the ball — to the fury of the house crowd.
However the expertise labored in Venezuela’s favor in stoppage time when it noticed that Paraguay defender Ivan Piris had dealt with throughout an aerial problem within the field and Rondon confidently tucked away the spot-kick.
The qualification course of for the expanded 48-team World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico, affords two additional locations for South America with six groups qualifying straight.
The seventh out of the ten nations will head to an inter-continental play-off.
After the opening two rounds Brazil lead Argentina on aim distinction with Colombia third on 4 factors, one forward of Uruguay and Venezuela.
Paraguay, Peru and Chile have some extent every.