CONMEBOL's Qualifiers continued today, giving fans around the world a couple of surprises in the process.
One of those teams that's destroying all the competition is Ecuador, who lead the pack after four games played. Gustavo Quinteros' side is getting closer to their second straight World Cup appearance, as their performances keep getting better and better. Later today, Argentina gave coach Gerardo Martino a life line by defeating Colombia, while Uruguay avenged their Copa América loss against Chile by defeating the South American champions 3-0. Here's a quick recap of every game.
Colombia 0-1 Argentina
La Albiceleste survived its fourth game without Lionel Messi thanks to a lonely goal by Lucas Biglia. The holding midfielder tapped the ball into David Ospina's net after an appalling mistake by defender Cristian Zapata, who failed to clear the ball with an open net.
El gol de Lucas Biglia. El ex @Independiente anotó para el 1-0 de @Argentina ante #Colombia. pic.twitter.com/vzzTDVQj83 ¡Mirá!
— InfiernoRojo.com (@InfiernoRojo) November 17, 2015
Javier Mascherano, who was doubtful for the match but ended up playing the whole game, celebrated Argentina's first win via Twitter.
"Returning home with all the points in the bag! Come on Argentina!"
Volviendo a casa con los 3 ptos!!!! Vamos Argentina!!!! pic.twitter.com/crUVfN9mnW
— Javier Mascherano (@Mascherano) November 18, 2015
Venezuela 1-3 Ecuador
Fidel Martinez, Jefferson Montero and Felipe Caicedo scored three goals in 60 minutes for La Tricolor, keeping their perfect run in the World Cup Qualifiers. Josef Martinez scored the only goal for La Vinotinto, a side that's finding it hard to win its first game of these Qualifiers.
Montero's goal made it easier for the visitors, while taking advantage of some sloppy defending.
GOLAZOOOOOO de @JeffMONTERO23 Via @SportPlusEC pic.twitter.com/WtiwqdPh5R
— Mayita Maus® (@MayitaMaus) November 17, 2015
Here's how Swansea's player celebrated today's win
"Great win for our countrymen to enjoy. #VamosEcuador"
Gran victoria que el país lo disfrute #vamosecuador #sisepuede pic.twitter.com/iqn1umdP66
— Jefferson Montero (@JeffMONTERO23) November 18, 2015
Paraguay 2-1 Bolivia
La Albirroja came from behind to defeat Bolivia in three minutes, thanks to goals by Darío Lezcano and Lucas Barrios. With this win, Ramón Diaz's men climbed up to the fourth place and kept their World Cup hopes intact.
Barrios capped a furious comeback for Paraguay with this well-placed header.
@Futbol780 Con este gol de Lucas Barrios, nuestra querida Albirroja lo dio vuelta y venció 2-1 a Bolivia ¡VAMOS! https://t.co/tWj0MCNqNi
— Cesar Guerreros (@Cesargd5) November 18, 2015
Uruguay 3-0 Chile
After their controversial matchup during the 2015 Copa América, Uruguay was dying to get even. With goals by Diego Godin, Alvaro Pereira and Martín Cáceres, Los Charrúas broke Chile's streak of eleven games without a loss, and managed to climb to the second place of the Qualifiers.
This game gave Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Jara the chance to set things straight after their embarrassing incident last summer.
Alvaro Pereira scored the second goal of the evening two minutes after coming on as a sub.
#EDLP El gol de Álvaro Pereira, quien marcó el segundo en el 3-0 de #Uruguay frente a #Chile https://t.co/vx6PhJrn5p
— Julián Barbetti (@PochoBarbetti) November 18, 2015
Brazil 3-0 Perú
Douglas Costa stole the show for Brazil, scoring one goal, dishing out an assist and showing his playmaker skills that ended up becoming A Canarinha's third goal. Brazil is now third in CONMEBOL's qualifiers, something that's worthy of praise, since they have won every point without any real contribution by Neymar.
WATCH: Douglas Costa shows his all-around skills to feed Renato Augusto for the second goal of the game.
TREMENDO! Douglas Costa la durmió como si nada, se amagó a casi toda la defensa de Perú y dio una asistencia... https://t.co/e6hnCT5aPT
— Curiosidades Futbol (@Curiosos_Futbol) November 18, 2015
After four games, here's how CONMEBOL's World Cup standings look like.
The World Cup Qualifiers will continue until March of 2016.