SAO PAULO — A thrilling late goal from substitute Luiz Henrique in the 89th minute secured Brazil a 2-1 victory over Chile during their World Cup qualifying match on Thursday. This win boosts Brazil’s standing, allowing them to finish the ninth round of the South American qualifiers in fourth place, providing some relief to coach Dorival Júnior, who has faced scrutiny.
In a parallel match, Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, drew 1-1 against Venezuela. This game was temporarily halted for 30 minutes due to a saturated pitch at Monumental Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela. After nine matches, Argentina leads the qualifying group with 19 points. Colombia follows in second place with 16 points, despite suffering a 1-0 loss to Bolivia, while Uruguay sits third with 15 points, looking to increase their tally in their upcoming match against Peru. Brazil trails with 13 points.
Chile, struggling in the qualifications, drew first blood mere seconds into the game. Veteran striker Eduardo Vargas deftly headed the ball past Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, putting Chile ahead. Brazil struggled to generate significant scoring opportunities throughout the first half but managed to equalize in stoppage time when Igor Jesus, subbing in for the injured Vinicius Júnior, scored with a header. In the second half, Brazil maintained possession but continued to face challenges in creating clear chances. In the closing moments, Henrique stepped up and smashed a shot from just outside the box, leading to a moment of despair for Chile’s players.
Brazil’s next challenge is against Peru in Brasilia, while Chile will travel to face Colombia. Luiz Henrique expressed pride in wearing the Brazilian jersey, promising fans that with determination and commitment, they would deliver a strong performance, representing their status as five-time World Cup champions. Coach Dorival Júnior acknowledged the team’s inconsistency as he experiments with different players, emphasizing the importance of hard work: “We will have a very strong team two years from now. But it is only in the dictionary that success comes before work.”
In Argentina’s match, defender Nicolás Otamendi kicked off the scoring in the 13th minute, converting a mistake by Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo after a cross from Messi. However, Venezuela’s Salomón Rondón managed to level the score in the 65th minute with a header for their team, which is still seeking its first World Cup appearance. Messi, who returned to the squad after missing two previous qualifying rounds due to an ankle injury, remarked on the challenging pitch conditions that hindered their performance. Venezuelan defender Jon Aramburu noted their determination, stating that the team aimed to prove their competitiveness against well-established opponents.
Bolivia claimed a surprise victory over Colombia, marking the end of Colombia’s unbeaten streak in the qualifying rounds. The match took place at the Municipal Stadium in El Alto, located over 13,000 feet above sea level. Bolivia climbed to fifth place with 12 points, achieving its first victory over Colombia in 21 years. Miguel Terceros, known as Miguelito, netted the winning goal in the 58th minute with a powerful strike after bypassing two defenders. Despite losing Héctor Cuellar to a red card early in the match, Bolivia managed to hold on to their lead.
“We are a young team that wants to change history,” Terceros expressed, looking forward to their upcoming match against Argentina with hopes of another win. Bolivia has been seeking to qualify for a World Cup since their last appearance in 1994.
