Results - World Cup Qualifiers

CONMEBOL - 1st Round

Argentina vs Colombia (3-0)

After failing to win their last 4 qualification games, it was a must win game for Argentina. 

Lionel Messi was hands down Man of the Match as with the help of his 1 goal and 2 assists, Argentina registered a comfortable win.

Messi was in different color. He opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick in the 10th minute which got into the back of the net off the underside of the bar. No chance for the keeper to stop that. 

He was a constant threat to Colombia. In the 23rd minute he set up another for Lucas Pratto, the later was given a nod ahead of Gonzalo Higuain and he justified his selection by heading a gorgeous cross from Messi into the goal. 

Messi made several other chances and he was the architect again, he caught Murillo in possession and made a run into the area and squared it for former Real Madrid man, Angel Di Maria, who put it into the empty net. 

It was given the fact that Argentina have never lost a World Cup qualifying match at home against Colombia and Colombia have never scored in a qualifying match in Argentina, conceding five.

With this win Argentina climbs above Colombia to 5th position with 19 points in 12 matches.

Peru vs Brazil (0-2)

In-form Brazil were up against Peru, who won their last match against Paraguay. Brazil also came into this match on the back of a 5 match winning streak and had they not win this game they would still be at the top of the table. 

First half was goalless with Peru coming the closest to score, hitting the post through Andre Carrillo. 

In the 58th minute Brazil got the breakthrough when young Gabriel Jesus hammered the ball home after poor defensive display from Peru. 

Brazil with their commanding display were more likely to score another goal as Peru were struggling. Neymar hit the crossbar in the 77th minute after collecting the pass from Coutinho on the left, he pushed the ball onto his right and launched a ferocious effort that rattled the post.

Brazil got their 2nd goal of the game just minutes later. Again Peru failed to clear the ball and Gabriel Jesus wasted no time in setting Renato Augusto who finished the scoring. 

Gabriel Jesus recorded one assist to go with his goal. 

Brazil are top of the pile with 27 points in 12 matches, 4 ahead of 2nd placed Uruguay. 

Chile vs Uruguay (3-1)

News was there that Arsene Wenger did not like when Alexis Sanchez was named in the squad as he had an injury and is a key man for Arsenal. 

Despite Wenger fears, he was named in the squad and also proved to be the difference among the two teams.

Uruguay opened the scoring with Edinson Cavani finding the back of the net in 17th minute. But Eduardo Vargas levelled the match on the stroke of half-time. It was Alexis' show in the second half as he put the hosts ahead on the hour-mark with a well struck volley and 16 minutes later scored his 2nd of the match to complete Chile win. 

Claudio Bravo gave away a penalty two minutes before time but he saved the effort by his former Barca teammate Luis Suarez and with this win Chile climbs to 4th position and within 3 points of 2nd placed Uruguay. 

Some other results :-

• Bolivia 1-0 Paraguay - Bolivia secured the win with an own goal from Gustavo Gomez.
• Ecuador 3-0 Venezuela - With all 3 goals scored in 2nd half, Ecuador is on 3rd position tied on points with Chile and ahead on goal difference.

AFC - 3rd Round

Group A

• South Korea vs Uzbekistan (2-1) - South Korea came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan at their home ground and move to 2nd place.

• China vs Qatar (0-0) - Bottom end teams play out a nil-nil draw.

• Syria vs Iran (0-0) - With this draw Iran remains at the top of the table one point ahead of South Korea with 11 points.

Group B

• Japan vs Saudi Arabia (2-1) - With the win over Saudi Arabia, Japan climbs above Australia and onto the 2nd position and tied on points with the table toppers Saudi Arabia. 

• Thailand vs Australia (2-2) -  The Socceroos were held for a draw and missed the chance to go top. They are currently 3rd with 9 points in 5 matches. 

• U.A.E. vs Iraq (2-0) - With this win U.A.E draw level on points with Australia. They also have 9 points in 5 matches.

So this is how the teams fared on the matchdays enroute 'Road to Russia'. 

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