Argentina extend unbeaten streak to 29, Brazil thrash Paraguay

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in their Qatar World Cup 2022 qualifier at home to extend their unbeaten to 29 matches, whereas Brazil thrashed Paraguay 4-0 to dismiss the latter’s chance to qualify for the mega event next year.

In other matches, Chile beat Bolivia 3-2 to keep their World Cup hopes alive, and so did Uruguay with their 4-1 thrashing of Venezuela. Ecuador drew 1-1 with Peru but are just a couple of points away from automatic qualification for the World Cup. Brazil now sit top of the South American qualifiers table with 39 points from 15 matches, while Argentina are second with 35 points.

Argentina were without regular skipper Lionel Messi but still managed a comfortable victory. Lautaro Martinez’s 29-minute strike gave them the lead, and they defended well to keep the scoreline intact. This means Argentina are now unbeaten for 29 games straight, currently the longest active unbeaten streak. Their last defeat was against Brazil in Copa America 2019, when the Albiceleste lost 2-0.

Brazil were comfortable victors in their home game against Paraguay as Raphina, Philippe Coutinho, Antony, and Rodrygo were on target.

This defeat also meant Paraguay bidding goodbye to the World Cup as they sit second-last on the points table with only 13 points from 16 games.

Brazil were ahead on the 28th minute when Leeds United forward Raphina struck. Coutinho produced a thunderous effort from long-range to double their lead in the 62nd minute before Antony struck in the 86th minute to make 3-0.

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo put the icing on the cake as he latched on to a pass from Bruno Guimaraes to score the fourth.

Uruguay moved into the fourth automatic qualification spot with their win over Venezuela as they now have 22 points from 16 matches.

Rodrigo Bentancur brought Uruguay the lead in the first minute before Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored their second in the 23rd minute. And in the stoppage time of the first half, Edinson Cavani scored to secure the win.

Uruguay were then handed a penalty early in the second half, which Luis Suarez converted in the 53rd minute to make it 4-0 before Venezuela struck one back 12 minutes later with a goal from Josef Martinez.