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A magnificent volley from Lautaro Martínez secured a 1-0 victory for world champions Argentina over Peru, while Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Uruguay in the South American World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.
Argentina remain top of the CONMEBOL standings, with qualification for the 2026 tournament seemingly a matter of time.
It was far from a vintage performance by Lionel Scaloni’s team, but a moment of brilliance from Inter Milan’s Martínez proved decisive at the Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires.
Lionel Messi delivered a cross from the left, and Martínez leapt into the air, leaning back to unleash a thunderous left-footed volley past Pedro Gallese.
Argentina’s eighth win from 12 games leaves them on 25 points, five clear of second-placed Uruguay, who earned a valuable point against Brazil.
The five-time World Cup winners struggled in Salvador, falling behind in the 55th minute to a fine finish from Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.
However, Brazil equalised seven minutes later when a headed clearance fell to Gerson, who smashed home a perfectly struck volley.
Gabriel Martinelli came close to a winner, showing deft control before unleashing a volley that drew a brilliant save from Sergio Rochet.
The draw leaves Brazil in fifth place on 18 points, one point behind fourth-placed Colombia, who suffered a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Ecuador in Barranquilla.
Paraguay Held, Chile Thrash Venezuela
Ecuador’s veteran striker Enner Valencia stunned the home crowd in the seventh minute with a superb solo effort, breaking away from three Colombian defenders before slotting home.
Colombia’s Jhon Córdoba missed a golden opportunity to equalise, stumbling and failing to convert from point-blank range after being set up by James Rodríguez.
Córdoba was also involved in a pivotal moment in the 34th minute when Ecuador were reduced to 10 men. He raced clear and rounded goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez before going down under pressure from Piero Hincapié. The referee ruled it as a trip, and despite a lengthy VAR review, the decision stood.
Galíndez kept out James Rodríguez’s resulting free-kick and made several key saves as Colombia increased the pressure. Liverpool’s Luis Díaz came closest to scoring, heading a Daniel Muñoz cross against the post.
Elsewhere, Paraguay earned a 2-2 draw in Bolivia. Ervin Vaca opened the scoring for the home side in the 15th minute, but Newcastle United’s Miguel Almirón levelled for Paraguay in the 71st minute.
Bolivia regained the lead with a Miguel Terceros penalty after Lucas Chávez was fouled, but Julio Enciso rescued a point for Paraguay in stoppage time with a spectacular solo goal.
Meanwhile, Chile boosted their slim hopes of qualification with a resounding 4-2 victory over Venezuela.
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