Published on October 16, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. – updated on October 16, 2024 at 11:57 a.m.
Axel Allag
During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, Argentina and Brazil inflicted two respective corrections on Bolivia (6-0) and Peru (4-0). Still third, Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay confirmed its current difficulties.
Argentina was able to bounce back in the wake of a breathtaking Lionel Messi. Neutralized a few days ago by Venezuela on a very complicated and waterlogged pitch, the Albiceleste had no trouble pocketing the three points of victory against a weak Bolivia at the Monumental (6-0). The eight-time Ballon d’Or, who replayed against Venezuela for the first time since the Copa America coronation against Colombia (1-0, ap) shone brightly in front of his audience. Author of a hat-trick (19th, 84th, 86th), bringing his total to 846 career goals, he also showed himself altruistic by delivering two assists to Lautaro Martinez (43rd) and Julian Alvarez (45th+ 3). Thiago Almada also added his name to the evening’s scorers table (69th). “It’s very nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people, who are moved when they shout my name,” highlighted Messi, while the Albiceleste confirmed their place at the top of the qualifying rankings with 3 points ahead of Colombia, victorious over Chile (4-0).
Uruguay marks time
In third position, we find Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay who are still skating and have gone a fourth consecutive match without scoring and without winning, against Ecuador (0-0). A result which is not dramatic for Celeste while six teams from the South America zone will see the World Cup (and a seventh will go to the play-offs). During the next truce, in November, Uruguay will nevertheless have to raise the cursor because it will be opposed to Colombia and Brazil.
A Brazil which, still deprived of a Neymar whose return to the field is imminent, also won largely. Not as widely as Argentina, but Peru, penultimate in qualifying, was crushed by Marquinhos’ teammates (4-0). Raphina scored twice while Andreas Pereira and Luiz Henrique also scored as Brazil sat fourth in the table, tied on points with Uruguay.
