Brazil and
Argentina have revived their World Cup qualifying campaigns, posting
much-needed victories over Peru and Colombia on Tuesday.
The
Brazilians beat Peru 3-0 while arch-rival Argentina got a similar boost with a
1-0 victory over Colombia.
Douglas Costa
got Brazil rolling in the 22nd minute, scoring off a cross from Willian, who
tormented Peru all night on the right side.
Renato
Augusto made it 2-0 in the 57th, slotting home a 15-metre shot behind Peru
`keeper Diego Penny.
Filipe Luis
chipped into a wide-open goal to score in the 77th after Costa lashed a
left-footed shot that Penny deflected.
Brazil
improved to seven points from four matches, and Peru stayed on three points
from four.
Peru's Paolo
Guerrero and Carlos Lobaton had chances in the first few minutes before the
game tilted towards Brazil.
Despite much
of the possession, Brazil struggled to build up an attack for much of the
match. Barcelona star Neymar was more involved than he has been in recent
matches, but was slowed at time by fouls, which were constant in the
stop-and-go game.
Argentina,
without the injured Lionel Messi, defeated Colombia thanks to Lucas Biglia's
strike in the first half.
It was
Argentina's first victory in four qualifiers, and they scored only their second
goal.
It was the
first victory for Argentina, World Cup runners-up a year ago to Germany,
without key players Messi, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.
After
defeating Peru in their first qualifier last month, Colombia haven't won any of
their last three qualifiers and have only four points from four matches.
James Rodriguez
was marked out of the match and seldom linked up with the Colombia attack.
Angel Di
Maria should have made it 2-0 late in the first half, but shot wide of the far
post after getting one-on-one with Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.
Argentina's Paulo
Dybala also hit the post in the 89th.
Ecuador,
meanwhile, maintained their 100 per cent record with four wins from four
matches after defeating Venezuela 3-1 to lead qualifying.
Fidel
Martinez gave Ecuador a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela,
and Jefferson Montero made it 2-0 by halftime. Felipe Caicedo added a third in
the second half.
Venezuela,
the only team in the 10-team South American confederation never to play in the
World Cup, have lost all of their qualifying matches.
Substitute
Josef Martinez scored Venezuela's late goal.
In
Montevideo, Uruguay defeated Chile 3-0 for their third victory in four
qualifying matches.
Diego Godin,
Martin Caceres and Alvaro Pereira scored for Uruguay, who have nine points and
moved into second place in qualifying behind Ecuador.
Copa America
champion Chile have seven points.
Paraguay
defeated Bolivia 2-1 to improve their tally to seven points.
Dario
Lezcano and Argentina-born Lucas Barrios scored for Paraguay while Yasmani Duk
scored for Bolivia, who have just three points.
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