World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL Results

Yet another dramatic day in the World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL.

While Argentina presented a woeful display without their talisman Leo Messi, Brazil cemented their position at top of the group and also are the first to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
Colombia leapfrogged Uruguay to become 2nd in the group.

Detailed result follows:-

1- Bolivia 2-0 Argentina

Just when Argentina were suffering from the news of Leo Messi's suspension for 4 games, their World Cup hopes took another major hit as they suffered a shock loss at the hands of Bolivia.

The visitor team never showed any spark as the Bolivian team cruised to a comfortable 2 goal win with goals from Juan Carlos Arce and Marcelo Moreno on either side of the half.

With this loss Argentina are 5th in the group with 22 points from 14 games.

2- Ecuador 0-2 Colombia

Colombia won in Quito with goals from James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado and boosted their World Cup hopes as they leapfrogged​Argentina and Uruguay to reach 2nd in the group.

Jose Pekerman's side were playing on a difficult away ground and they produced a remarkable performance.
Ecuador were reduced to 10 man later in the second half as they lost a place of playoffs to Chile.

3- Chile 3-1 Venezuela

Chile eased past bottom placed Venezuela as Alexis Sanchez became country's joint top goalscorer.

Sanchez opened the scoring in 4th minute with a brilliantly​ taken free kick as he took his tally to 37 goals and move alongside Marcelo Salas as country's joint top goalscorer.

Minutes later Esteban Paredes got onto the score sheet as he scored a brace on the night.
Venezuela managed to pull one goal back with the help of Salomon Rondon just past the hour mark but any kind of turnaround looked almost impossible.

Colombia were given a boost with the return of Arturo Vidal who missed last game 1-0 loss against Argentina.

4- Brazil 3-0 Paraguay

Brazil continued their excellent form and winning streak as they become the first team to qualify for the World Cup thanks to Peru's 2-1 win against Uruguay.

Neymar bagged his 52nd goal for his country as goals from Phillipe Coutinho and Marcelo too, helped Brazil secure a 3-0 win on the night.

Tite's men are in sublime form as they won their 9th game in a row since last year's Copa America Centenario. 

With this win Brazil are assured of at least a top 4 finish and have officially qualified for the next year's World Cup in Russia.

Brazil are currently 9 points clear of second placed Colombia who won against Venezuela while 11 points adrift Argentina who currently occupy play-offs 5th place.

5- Peru 2-1 Uruguay

Uruguay suffered a third consecutive defeat in qualifying round as Peru came from behind to down struggling visitors in Lima.

Goals from Paolo Guerrero and Edison Flores staged a much needed win as the return of Luis Suarez could not help Uruguay.

Uruguay drew first blood as they scored in the 30th minute through Carlos Sanchez but it lasted for just 4 minutes as Paolo Guerrero stored parity and Edison Flores completed the comeback just passed the hour mark.

With this win Peru kept their World Cup hopes alive.

Only 2 points separate 2nd placed Colombia and 5th placed Argentina as the fight for a place in next year's World Cup intensifies.
World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL will return in action later this year in September.

Pic Credits - FIFA World Cup 2018 

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Messi suspended for 4 games

FIFA has handed a four match ban to Lionel Messi after the star player was found guilty of abusing the linesman in Argentina's match against Chile.

Messi scored the only goal of the match against Chile

Lionel Messi, who scored the winner against Chile in a must win match was not so good with his mouth as the player was found speaking cuss words to the linesman.
The incident reportedly came to light after the video did rounds and FIFA was considered to take a strict action against this.

The news came today that the Argentine has been handed a 4 match ban means he won't be available for the matches against Bolivia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru.

Messi has proved to be the Talisman for his team in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier as stats clearly show how poor his team has fared in his absence.

With the absence of Messi, Argentina will face a difficult task in the upcoming matches as their World Cup dream looks bleak at the moment.

Nevertheless, the AFA will appeal to FIFA to reconsider the punishment as the nation's World Cup qualifications dream is hugely dependent on him.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Football fan writes a beautiful letter to the injured Coleman

The curse of International break didn't go away without striking this time too.
In the game between Wales and Republic of Ireland, Seamus Coleman, the Irish captain suffered a horror leg injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

The injury which many people would find disturbing happened on the night when Republic of Ireland took on Wales in the 1st round of Group D of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Seamus Coleman stretched out after the horrendous leg injury

Neil Taylor was the guilty of the tackle who was shown a straight red after the shocking tackle.

Football fans from around the world showered their prayers and hoped for a speedy recovery of the Everton man.

One such fan is a five year old who wrote a heartfelt letter to Coleman.

Reece Kenny from Offaly and his seven-year-old brother Cody, met the Everton full back before the game against Wales and were at the game when Neil Taylor's horror tackle de-railed Coleman's career till at least 2018.

The letter which the fan wrote to Coleman

The young fan writes:

'To Seamus, I love you, you are the best soccer player. My brother and I met you last Thursday before the Wales match. You were so kind and friendly to us. You are our hero. We were at the match and we were so sad for you that your bones are broken, we hope you get better really soon. Love from Reece Kenny (5) and my brother Cody (7) from Offaly.'

Meanwhile, FIFA agreed to pay the wages of the Everton man during the period of his recovery.

Well, we too wish a speedy recovery to the player as he is an important asset to both his club and country.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com