South America defines its qualifier for the World Cup in Qatar

BUENOS AIRES (AP) - After two intense years, with a pandemic in between, South America closes the qualification for the World Cup in Qatar. With Brazil and Argentina qualified a while ago, the last two days of the competition will define the remaining direct tickets to the World Cup and fifth place to play an intercontinental playoff against an Asian national team.

Here are the details to be taken into account:

WHICH SELECTIONS ARE BEST PROFILED TO RANK?

Ecuador (25), Uruguay (22) and Peru (21) depend on themselves.

If the “Tri”, which at the beginning of the tie hired Argentine Gustavo Alfaro in a hurry after Jordi Cruyff's unusual resignation without making his debut, will return to the World Cup after eight years with a win or draw against the already eliminated Paraguay on Thursday in Asunción.

Uruguay, which led by its new coach Diego Alonso emerged from the agony it had fallen into after four consecutive defeats under the command of septuagenarian Oscar Tabárez, has to beat Peru in Montevideo to get a ticket to Qatar and go to its fourth consecutive World Cup.

“The importance of this match is paramount and we have no qualms about speculating,” Alonso said. “We'll play it like it's a final.”

Blanquirroja can secure the playoff for the second straight round if they score three points against Uruguay — only two away wins in the Uruguayan capital in history — and Chile (19) doesn't beat Brazil.

On the last date, next Tuesday, Uruguay will visit Chile and Peru will be local against Paraguay.

“Reaching the last date depending on us is something that was within our goals,” said Ricardo Gareca, the Argentine coach who is trying to repeat with the Peruvians in a World Cup. “You have to have a lot of argument, conviction, mentality to become dependent only on us in the last two dates.”

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES OF CHILI?

A defeat to Brazil at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro leaves him out. His record as a visitor to the five-time world champion is lapidary: he never won and scored only two goals.

If the “Roja” ties, their luck will depend on a victory over Uruguay on the last date and that Peru does not prevail against Paraguay to aspire to the repechage.

“It is clear that we cannot have a timorous match, because we have a need,” said Martín Lasarte, the Uruguayan coach from Chile. “As far as we can, we have to make an equal match. Between that and suicide, there is a very thin line.”

IN ADDITION TO GOALS, WHAT DOES COLOMBIA NEED?

Colombia (17), which has not scored goals for six dates and has its historic scorer Radamel Falcao absent due to injury, can only aspire to fifth place in the repechage.

To do this, he should add the six points against Bolivia and Venezuela and that Peru does not win in its two commitments.

WHAT BRAND CAN BRAZIL BREAK?

The leader of the heats with 39 points aims to set a new record in the South American qualifiers under the current all-for-all format. If he adds six units against Chile and Bolivia, he will exceed the 43 won by Argentina in the 2002 Korea-Japan qualifiers. In addition, he must complete the fair match against Albiceleste (35) suspended in September 2021 by the Brazilian health authorities and that FIFA ordered to resume in neutral stadium.

MESSI AND NEYMAR, PARIS SYNDROME?

The top two figures in South America return to their national teams after being absent in the last matches of the standings and there are doubts about their current level. Both have become the target of fierce criticism for the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) hecatomb in the Champions League and their future in the French club is unknown.

Between injuries and questions about his professionalism off the court, the Brazilian star is no longer an untouchable in Brazil, who now pays admiration to Vinicius Jr.

The Argentine captain has been absent several games this season, something rare in his career. This time he has a flu syndrome that prevented him from playing last weekend for his club, although his presence is ruled out at least against Venezuela at home.