Momentum returned to CONMEBOL regional qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, as South America’s finest played out match days 7 and 8 in the qualifying schedule (3^rd /4^th and 8^th of June 2021 respectively). Which also means that 33 per cent of the fixtures due to be played in South America’s regional qualifiers for 
Qatar 2022™ have now been fulfilled. 

National teams who are members of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and hoping to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ are competing for a total of 4.5 slots (4 direct slots and 1 inter-confederation play-off slot) in the final tournament. 

Individual Team progress in CONMEBOL regional qualifiers for Qatar 2022™.

Brazil continued their perfect series of wins with a victory in Paraguay, building an enormous six point lead in the process. Meanwhile, second-placed Colombia snatched an injury-time equaliser to thwart Argentina’s upward ambitions.
A previously muted Peru finally secured a win, overcoming a spirited Ecuador side in Quito by two goals to one.  

In addition two more draws did little to deliver any daylight in an already congested mid-table. It remained goalless between Venezuela and Uruguay in Caracas, despite La Vinotinto’s outstanding record at home. While in parallel, Chile supporters way down south in Santiago, saw their side grind out an unhelpful one all draw with Bolivia.  

Neymar struck first for Brazil on 4 minutes as they eventually won 2-0 in Paraguay, the Paris Saint-Germain star’s early goal remained the difference until Paqueta scored well into stoppage time on 93 minutes. Interestingly it was a similar pattern against Ecuador in their previous match day qualifier, Brazil were only one goal up throughout normal time, then Neymar made it two – nil with a penalty on 94 minutes, this the sixth win out of six qualifiers for the five-time world champion Canarinho and also the success that ended Paraguay’s unbeaten run. 

Moving right along, Colombia certainly generated plenty of high-octane drama in Barranquilla, as they produced an astonishing comeback to share the points with Argentina. Los Cafeteros looked in serious danger of being overwhelmed by their accomplished visitors as they trudged off 2-0 down at half-time. However, head coach Reinaldo Rueda Rivera’s team talk during the break obviously had the desired effect, as the home side were galvanised into action.  Columbia pulled a goal back via Muriel’s calmly taken penalty, awarded just six minutes into the second-half, and continued to press until they were finally rewarded with a headed equaliser from Miguel Borja as the clock ticked down in stoppage time on 94 minutes. 

While Peru’s form had been uninspiring in earlier CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers, without a win in their last seven games, head coach Ricardo Gareca’s side finally got their campaign underway with an improbable 2-1 victory in Ecuador. Worth noting is the fact that Peru, who started as clear underdogs,  triumphed over a team who had previously racked up  ten goals in just two matches on home turf. To refer to this game as upsetting the odds is probably an understatement, although for all that, Peru stay firmly rooted to the bottom of the table but just behind Venezuela based on goal difference. 

Venezuela could only manage to scrape a nil-nil draw against visitors Uruguay, who are now in fourth place. Meanwhile, in mid-table Chile and Bolivia finished the day drawing one goal apiece in Santiago. 

South America Qatar 2022™ qualifier results full round up after latest June match days 

Match day 7 – 3^rd and 4^th of June 2021: 

Bolivia 3 – 1 Venezuela 

Uruguay 0 – 0 Paraguay 

Argentina 1 – 1 Chile 

Peru 0 – 3 Colombia 

Brazil 2- 0 Ecuador 

Match day 8 – 8th of June 2021: 

Ecuador 1 – 2 Peru 

Venezuela 0 – 0 Uruguay 

Colombia 2 – 2 Argentina 

Paraguay 0 – 2 Brazil 

Chile 1-1 Bolivia 

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2022™ qualifier match days still to be played in 2021: 

Match day 9 – 2^nd of September 2021 

Match day 10 – 7^th of September 2021 

Match day 11 – 7^th of October 2021 

Match day 12 – 12^th of October 2021 

Match day 13 – 11^th of November 2021 

Match day 13 – 16^th of November 2021 

Latest FIFA World Cup 2022™ CONMEBOL qualifiers standings [6 matches played] 

Brazil  18pts [6 wins, GD 14] 

Argentina  12pts [3 wins, 3 draws GD 4] 

Ecuador 9pts [3 wins, 3 losses GD 4] 

Uruguay 8pts [2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses GD 0] 

Columbia 8pts [2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses GD -2] 

Paraguay 7pts [1 wins, 4 draws, 1 losses GD -1] 

Chile 6pts [1 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses GD 0] 

Bolivia 5pts [1 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses GD -5] 

Venezuela  4pts [1 wins, 1 draws, 4 losses GD -6] 

Peru4pts  4pts [1 wins, 1 draws, 4 losses GD -8] 

There are some appetising contests coming up and although it’s looking likely that Brazil will prevail in the top spot, mid-table is a crowded space, and plenty of rivals such as Ecuador Uruguay and Columbia are looking to break out and attempt to overhaul Argentina in second-place. 

Source: FIFA.com https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/news/mixed-results-in-world-cup-qualifiers

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