© EuroFootball.com
Very intense matches took place in the World Cup qualifiers of the South American (CONMEBOL) qualifying zone, where at the very end of the match, the Chilean national team let slip a ticket to Brazil.
Colombia's national football team, led by Rafael Falcao, managed to snatch a 3-3 draw with Chile at home, even though Chileans were leading by 3-0 after the first half.
Juventus defender Arturo Vidal put Chile ahead in the 18th minute by converting a penalty kick, and then two goals followed by Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez - in the 21st and 29th minutes.
Nevertheless, the Colombian national team did not give up - Teofilo Gutierrez scored the first goal in the 69th minute, and at the end of the match the Chileans fell apart. In the 66th minute, Chilean national team member Carlos Carmona was sent off the field, and in the 75th minute, the second penalty kick of the match was awarded - Radamel Falcao struck accurately, softening the score to 2-3.
Shaken Chile's defense earned another penalty kick in the 84th minute - R. Falcao again did not make a mistake, snatching a draw for his team and a direct ticket to the World Cup. The last time Colombians played there was in 1998.
Chile's national team players had a direct ticket to their hands until the third goal, but they cannot blame the referee - both penalty kicks were awarded completely deservedly.
Ecuador's national team secured their chances to travel to Brazil by defeating Uruguay 1-0 at home. Jefferson Montero scored in the 30th minute.
Venezuela and Paraguay tied 1-1, and after this match neither team has any chance of breaking through to the World Cup. Meanwhile, Argentina's national team, who had already secured their ticket, won 3-1 at home against Peru and solidified their dominance in the qualifying group.
It is worth mentioning that Brazil has a direct ticket to the World Cup as the host in the South American qualification zone. Four more teams get direct tickets from the qualifiers, while the team in fifth place has to play playoff matches against the fifth team from the African qualification zone - which is Jordan.
In the decisive round on October 14, Uruguay will host Argentina, Paraguay will play against Colombia, Chile against Ecuador, and Peru against Bolivia. Ecuador, Chile, and Uruguay will no longer drop below fifth place, but they also won't rise above third.
CONMEBOL qualifiers standings:
1. Argentina 32 pts
2. Colombia 27 pts
3. Ecuador 25 pts
4. Chile 25 pts
5. Uruguay 22 pts
6. Venezuela 20 pts
7. Peru 14 pts
8. Paraguay 13 pts
9. Bolivia 11 pts
