Messi visits Paraguay as Liverpool team-mates square off

‘The Atomic Flea’, even by his own astonishing standards, was otherworldly last time out. Lionel Messi, indeed, registered a hat-trick and two assists as Argentina strode three points clear atop the standings in CONMEBOL qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The 37-year-old will now strive to decrypt on-song Paraguay.

Uruguay and Colombia, third and second respectively, will collide in a meeting that will pit Liverpool team-mates Darwin Nunez and Luiz Diaz against one another. Raphinha and Vinicius Jr, both in electrifying form for their clubs, will attempt to inspire Brazil to a third straight success at out-of-sorts Venezuela, while fifth-placed Ecuador will encounter a Bolivia side a point back in seventh.

The action will conclude with one of the most decisive Pacific Derbies in decades. Chile and Peru simply must go for broke, and Roja coach Ricardo Gareca will return to the country he propelled to a first World Cup in 36 years. The biggest talking point was his shock selection of Arturo Vidal, who had publicly lambasted Gareca, for the first time.

Fixtures
Venezuela v Brazil
Paraguay v Argentina
Ecuador v Bolivia
Uruguay v Colombia
Peru v Chile

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Standings
۱st) Argentina – ۲۲ points
۲nd) Colombia – ۱۹
۳rd) Uruguay – ۱۶
۴th) Brazil – ۱۶
۵th) Ecuador – ۱۳
۶th) Paraguay – ۱۳
۷th) Bolivia – ۱۲
۸th) Venezuela – ۱۱
۹th) Peru – ۶
۱۰th) Chile – ۵

The top six finishers will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The seventh-placed team will enter the FIFA Play-off Tournament, where six sides will compete for the last two tickets to the global finals.

Venezuela v Brazil
Thursday 14 November
Estadio Monumental de Maturin, Maturin

The Vinotinto stunned the Seleção with a 1-1 draw in Cuiaba in the teams’ first meeting, and will entrust Brazil-based creators Jefferson Savarino and Yeferson Soteldo with getting them their first win in seven qualifiers. Dorival Junior will be without the likes of Alisson, Eder Militao and Rodrygo, but boasts match-winners aplenty including 17-year-old sensation Estevao, Luiz Henrique, Raphinha, Savinho and Vinicius Jr.

Last 10 meetings
۶ Brazil wins, 4 draws, 0 Venezuela wins

Paraguay v Argentina
Thursday 14 November
Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asuncion

A backline ruled by Gustavo Gomez was central to the Albirroja taking eight points from a possible 12 to leap sixth. The 31-year-old now faces an acid test in the form of Messi. Gustavo Alfaro, coaching against his countrymen, will look to Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso for inspiration, while Tony Sanabria rose from the bench to bag a brace last time out.

Emiliano Martinez returns from suspension for Argentina, while Lionel Scaloni must decide whether to stick with the three-pronged attack of Messi, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, which functioned fantastically against Bolivia.

Last 10 meetings
۵ draws, 4 Argentina wins, 1 Paraguay win

Ecuador v Bolivia
Thursday 14 November
Estadio Isidro Romero, Guayaquil

Following back-to-back goalless draws, La Tri will expect to get back to winning ways. Sebastian Beccacece could recall 17-year-old Kendry Paez to give his starting XI an invention injection, while he boasts stellar performers in the likes of Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayer Leverkusen, Brighton and Chelsea respectively.

La Verde’s three-game winning run was demolished in a 6-0 defeat to Argentina. Oscar Villegas will hope the defensive aptitude of Luis Haquin and trickery of 20-year-old Miguel Terceros can hike their hopes of a first World Cup since 1994.

Last 10 meetings
۸ Ecuador wins, 1 Bolivia win, 1 draw

Uruguay v Colombia
Friday 15 November
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo

They share a dressing room at Anfield, but Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz are set to square off. The pressure is on the former, with La Celeste having gone four games without scoring to drop to third.

Marcelo Bielsa has Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Facundo Pellistri and Federico Valverde at his disposal to provide Nunez with ammunition. Jhon Arias and James Rodriguez are excellent allies to Diaz in Los Cafeteros’ playmaking department. The big question is whether Nestor Lorenzo finally starts 20-year-old revelation Jhon Duran in attack.

Last 10 meetings
۴ Colombia wins, 3 Uruguay wins, 3 draws

Peru v Chile
Friday 15 November
Estadio Monumental, Lima

So sizeable are the stakes that Gareca ate humble pie and called up Vidal, who had ridiculed the Argentinian’s coaching credentials. ‘The King’ has hit doubles in two of his last three World Cup qualifiers against Peru, and will now look to thrust Chile to a first competitive victory since they won the reverse fixture 2-0 over a year ago.

Jorge Fossati also handed a veteran a shock call-up. Forty-year-old Paolo Guerrero is Los Incas’ all-time leading marksman and has five goals against Chile on his resume.

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Last 10 meetings
۶ Chile wins, 3 Peru wins, 1 draw

FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking
Argentina (1st)
Brazil (5th)
Colombia (10th)
Uruguay (14th)
Ecuador (27th)
Peru (38th)
Venezuela (44th)
Chile (53rd)
Paraguay (55th)
Bolivia (79th)

World Cup participations
Brazil (22)
Argentina (18)
Uruguay (14)
Chile (9)
Paraguay (8)
Colombia (6)
Peru (5)
Ecuador (4)
Bolivia (3)
Venezuela (0)

Best World Cup finish
Brazil: Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002)
Argentina: Champions (1978, 1986 & 2022)
Uruguay: Champions (1930 & 1950)
Chile: Third place (1962)
Peru: Quarter finals (1970 & 1978)
Colombia: Quarter-finals (2014)
Paraguay: Quarter-finals (2010)
Ecuador: Last 16 (2006)
Bolivia: Group stage (1930, 1950 & 1994)