Skip to content

Venezuela maintain hope

Image: Venezuela: Celebrate Oswaldo Vizcarrondo's goal

Venezuela, the only South American side never to have qualified for a World Cup, moved level at the top with victory over Bolivia.

South American minnows level at top of qualification group

Venezuela, the only South American side never to have qualified for a World Cup finals, moved level at the top of the qualifying section with victory over Bolivia. The perennial strugglers have made an impressive start to the qualifying campaign as they claimed their second success in four games. The only goal of the game in San Cristobal came midway through the first half with Oswaldo Vizcarrondo heading home to the delight of the home fans. Venezuela now have seven points, level with Uruguay - who were in friendly action in Europe, and Argentina - who managed to overcome Colombia 2-1. The Argentines made hard work of their win in Barranquilla, as they had to come from behind. Dorlan Pabon's deflected free-kick gave Colombia the lead, but Argentina battled back with Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero both finding the back of the net for Alejandro Sabella's side. Chile and Ecuador are just a point adrift of the leading pack after they both claimed victory on Tuesday. The Chileans secured a 2-0 home success over Paraguay with goals in either half from Matias Fernandez and Matias Campos-Toro. Ecuador also registered a 2-0 win, with their success coming against Peru in Quito. Edison Mendez opened the scoring with just 20 minutes left before former Birmingham striker Cristian Benitez completed the scoring with just minutes left.

Around Sky