Argentina, the defending world champions, defeated Bolivia with 10 men on Tuesday in La Paz by a score of 3-0 while resting Lionel Messi, continuing their successful start to South American World Cup qualifying.
However, Uruguay under Marcelo Bielsa had a setback, giving up the advantage to lose 2-1 to Ecuador.
After scoring the game-winning goal in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador, Messi, who has had a busy schedule with his club Inter Miami, complained of being weary and watched his teammates from the bench. Messi was not listed as a substitute, though.
Lionel Scaloni’s team had too much firepower for Bolivia despite the loss of their talisman, as goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Nicolas Gonzalez sealed the victory.
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez came close with a fantastic strike from 30 yards out that Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra deflected away.
Then, Viscarra performed admirably once more to block Julian Alvarez’s close-range drive after he had taken advantage of some shoddy defense.
The energetic Alvarez contributed to Argentina’s first goal in the 31st minute by supplying Angel Di Maria, whose low cross was converted by Fernandez, who had timed his run into the area precisely.
Bolivia’s task became more difficult eight minutes later when Roberto Fernandez was sent for an excessive challenge on Cristian Romero.
Tagliafico’s header that looped over Viscarra in response to a floating Di Maria free-kick gave Argentina a 2-0 lead at halftime.
After the intermission, the three-time World Cup champions were completely in charge. Alvarez hit the post in the 70th minute, and Viscarra was kept busy by attempts from Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria.
After more timid defence from the host team, who have dropped both of their first matches, Fernandez sealed the victory seven minutes from time with a left-footed drive.
Scaloni was pleased with the performance given by his team saying they were “not afraid to play with the ball and also offered an explanation for Messi’s absence.
“Leo was not ready to play, he tried to recover, but he did not feel comfortable,” he said.
After an impressive start to his reign in charge of Uruguay, Argentine Bielsa saw his team lose to two goals from Ecuador defender Felix Torres in Quito.
Uruguay had taken the lead in the 38th minute with Agustin Canobbio collecting a pass from Maximiliano Araujo and turning sharply before firing home.
However, just before halftime, Felix Torres headed in a Moises Caicedo cross to draw the home team even.
After the break, Ecuador had the chance to take the lead thanks to a penalty, but Enner Valencia’s appalling kick from the spot missed.
The winner was scored by defender Felix Torres, who sneaked into a packed box and turned in a low cross from 16-year-old Kendry Paez.
The choices were significant in Venezuela defeating Paraguay.
When Yangel Herrera brought down a cross from Jefferson Savarino and scored in the 78th minute, the ‘Vinotinto’ believed they had taken the lead. However, the referee’s inspection at the monitor revealed that the midfielder had handled the ball, much to the ire of the fervent home fans.
Salomon Rondon easily buried the penalty attempt for Venezuela in stoppage time after technology detected that Paraguayan defender Ivan Piris had handled during an aerial challenge in the box.
The victory will increase Venezuela’s chances of qualifying for a World Cup event for the first time ever.
Six countries from South America have already qualified directly for the expanded 48-team World Cup, which will be contested in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A continental play-off will be held for the seventh of the ten nations.
Colombia will be traveling to Chile later on Tuesday, while Brazil will be in Peru.
