South American Qualifiers: Rounds 7 and 8

The biggest surprise of the 7th and 8th rounds of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup was Bolivia. It was the only team to win both matches, putting them in contention for a World Cup spot.

Brazil and Argentina each won one game and lost the other, while Uruguay drew both of their matches.

Join us to follow how the matches played out in rounds 7 and 8 of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

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7th Round

Bolivia 4-0 Venezuela

Bolivia thrashed Venezuela at the stadium with the second-highest altitude in the world. The Estadio Municipal de El Alto is located at 4,100 meters above sea level.

In the 13th minute, Ramiro Vaca dribbled past his marker, took a shot from long range, and found the top corner to open the scoring.

In the 48th minute, Vaca took a corner that led to Algarañaz winning a penalty. He took the spot-kick himself, slotting it into the corner to double Bolivia’s lead.

Bolivia made it 3-0 just one minute into the second half. Algarañaz set up Roberto Fernández, who crossed for Miguelito to tap the ball into the net.

Bolivia sealed the victory in the 89th minute when Vaca played a brilliant pass to José Sagredo, who crossed for Enzo Monteiro to finish from close range.

Photo: AIZAR RALDES / AFP

Argentina 3-0 Chile

Argentina cruised to a 3-0 win over Chile, maintaining their lead in the qualifiers.

Chile had their first real chance in the 46th minute of the first half when Isla crossed into the box, and Catalán’s header hit the post.

Argentina broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half. Álvarez crossed, Lautaro Martínez let it run, and Mac Allister scored.

Argentina doubled their lead in the 84th minute. Enzo Fernández won the ball high up the pitch, and Julián Álvarez unleashed a long-range shot that flew into the net.

In stoppage time, Garnacho drove into the box from the left wing and squared for Dybala to blast home the third goal.

Photo: Rodrigo Valle / Reuters

Uruguay 0-0 Paraguay

Uruguay and Paraguay played to a 0-0 draw in Montevideo. The match was notable for being the last appearance of Uruguayan star Luis Suárez for the national team.

Enciso hit the post for Paraguay in the 13th minute with a long-range effort.

Suárez nearly scored in the 19th minute with a volley that also struck the post after a cross from Pellistri.

Paraguay hit the post again in the 60th minute when Diego Gómez’s curling shot from outside the box rattled the woodwork. Despite chances on both sides, the match ended goalless.

Brazil 1-0 Ecuador

Brazil edged past Ecuador in a game with few highlights.

Brazil took the lead in the 30th minute. Paquetá played the ball to Rodrygo, who cut inside his defender and fired a shot from outside the box. The ball deflected off a defender, hit the post, and went in.

Ecuador came close to equalizing in stoppage time. Kevin Rodríguez dribbled past several players and set up Caicedo, who chipped the ball towards the goal. Alisson saved, and Gabriel Magalhães cleared the rebound off the line.

Brazil had another chance to extend the lead in the second half, but Vinicius Jr. missed after rounding the goalkeeper.

Peru 1-1 Colombia

Peru and Colombia drew 1-1.

Lapadula thought he had given Peru the lead in the 25th minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

Peru took the lead in the 68th minute when Callens headed in a cross from Valera.

Colombia equalized in the 82nd minute when Luis Díaz headed in a flick-on from Durán after a James Rodríguez corner.

8th Round

Colombia 2-1 Argentina

Colombia upset Argentina in a fiercely contested match.

James Rodríguez’s short corner in the 25th minute found Jhon Arias, who returned it to James, and he crossed for Mosquera to head home.

Argentina equalized two minutes into the second half after James misplaced a pass. Nico González intercepted, dribbled past his marker, and slotted the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs.

Eight minutes later, Colombia regained the lead when Muñoz won a penalty after a VAR review. James Rodríguez converted, placing the ball in the top corner.

Ecuador 1-0 Peru

Ecuador secured a 1-0 win over Peru.

Preciado fired a powerful shot over the bar in the 6th minute and forced a good save from Gallese with a header in the 31st minute.

Ecuador broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Alan Franco crossed for Enner Valencia to head past Gallese.

Chile 1-2 Bolivia

Bolivia earned a crucial victory in a match marred by controversy.

Algarañaz finished a quick counter-attack to give Bolivia the lead in the 13th minute.

In the 39th minute, Eduardo Vargas scored for Chile while Bolivia’s goalkeeper Lampe was down injured, sparking a debate over fair play.

Bolivia regained the lead in stoppage time when Roberto Fernández set up Miguelito, who smashed the ball into the top corner.

VAR overturned a penalty awarded to Chile in the 82nd minute after determining the ball had hit Medina’s face rather than his hand.

Venezuela 0-0 Uruguay

Venezuela dominated Uruguay but couldn’t find a breakthrough.

Rondón came closest for Venezuela, hitting the post with a header in the 16th minute and having a goal disallowed for offside later in the match.

Rochet made several key saves for Uruguay as the match ended in a goalless draw.

Paraguay 1-0 Brazil

Paraguay stunned Brazil with a stunning goal from Diego Gómez.

Gómez scored in the 20th minute with a curling effort that struck the post and went in after Gabriel Magalhães failed to clear the ball properly.

Brazil had a couple of chances in the second half but couldn’t convert. Vini Jr.’s shot was saved by Gatito Fernández, while João Pedro headed over from close range.

Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/albirroja

 

Qualifiers Standings

 

Written by Henry Miller.