With each country having two to three World Cup qualifiers remaining the action is heating up in South America.
With Brazil automatically qualified as hosts, four direct qualifying spots and one play-off spot remain in the balance. Let’s take a look at all the qualifying action going on in South America and remember to check back with NBC Sports Pro Soccer Talk for plenty of coverage on all the international games.
Uruguay vs. Colombia
The marquee match of the night pits high-flying Colombia against Uruguay at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.
A single point will be enough for second place Colombia to book their tickets to Brazil but even if Radamel Falcao & Co. lose, they can still qualify for the World Cup if Bolivia upend Ecuador. Expect Jose Pekerman’s squad to play for the former but points don’t come easy for Los Cafeteros in Uruguay as they haven’t drawn there since 2001 and haven’t won there since 1973.
After a slow start to qualifying Uruguay have gotten it together of late, winning two straight for the first time since the process began. In fifth place and just two points shy of Ecuador, La Celeste will be keen on taking all three points to snap up the final direct qualifying berth of the region. Making that happen will be a team effort, however, as Diego Forlan is doubtful with injury while Diego Lugano and Diego Godin are both out on suspension.
Bolivia vs. Ecuador
Fourth place Ecuador will be hard pressed to earn a positive result against bottom-dwellers Bolivia so they can avoid losing that coveted fourth place to Uruguay. Despite La Paz being a difficult place to play La Tricolor have performed quite well on Bolivian soil, winning their last eight straight.
A victory on Tuesday would not only ward off Uruguay but could thrust Ecuador into third place over Chile, who have the night off. Don’t expect too much fight from the home side in this one as Bolivia have already been eliminated from the competition.
Venezuela vs. Peru
With both sides in must-win territory, Venezuela and Peru should be a cracker of a match.
Sixth place Venezuela will be knocked out if Uruguay better their result but if La Vinotinto avoid such a fate they can stay alive with a victory over seventh placed Peru. Venezuela have beaten Peru the last three times the sides met on Venezuelan soil and haven’t lost there since 1977. After managing only one point in their last three matches, however, Venezuela will need to improve their form if Brazil is in their future.
Paraguay vs. Argentina
The final match to kick-off in the region means that first place Argentina may have already qualified before kick-off. If either Uruguay or Ecuador lose, Argentina is through and could change the complexity of the tie with Paraguay. If neither of those scenarios occur then Argentina’s entry into Brazil will require a victory in Asuncion.
The Uruguay/Ecuador scenario could also decide Paraguay’s fate before kick-off but if neither pans out then eight place La Albirroja still stand a fighting chance. They’ll need all three points to make it happen but doing so is the only way to preserve a fifth placed finish and intercontinental play-off. And yes, Lionel Messi will be playing.