South America World Cup qualifying: Argentina lose without Lionel Messi, Brazil lose without Neymar

BRAZIL showed Thursday it can’t win against the best without Barcelona star Neymar, losing 2-0 at Chile as qualifying in South America opened for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It was the same story for Argentina without its Barcelona marquee player Lionel Messi, falling 2-0 at home against Ecuador.

Chile won behind second-half goals by Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez.

Neymar is sitting out the final two games of a four-match suspension he received just over three months ago in the Copa America. He will also miss next week’s match against Venezuela.

Chile had more energy and more chances in the match in Santiago. Sanchez hit the post late in the first half and Mauricio Isla did the same early in the second before Chile broke through.

Vargas scored in the 72nd minute, chipping in a free kick from Matias Fernandez. Sanchez added a second goal in the final minute before stoppage time, scoring on a counterattack from close range.

Alexis Sanchez (2nd L) with Eduardo Vargas (L), Arturo Vidal and Matias Fernandez (R).Source: Reuters

Chile proved again it’s the best team in South America. Three months ago the Chileans won the Copa America, defeating Argentina in the final.

Brazil continues to struggle even under new coach Dunga.


Alexis Sanchez of Chile celebrates after scoring against Brazil.Source: Reuters

It went out in the quarterfinals of the Copa America, and was humiliated a year ago in the World Cup semifinals on home soil, pummeled 7-1 by eventual champion Germany.


Brazil's players Willian, center, Lucas Lima, left, and Dani Alves.Source: AP

Argentina, the continent’s other power, went down to Ecuador in Buenos Aires on second-half goals by Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo.




Argentina's Javier Mascherano (14) leaves the field at the end of a 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier.Source: AP

A miserable night for Argentina - missing injured captain Lionel Messi - was completed by what looked like a serious hamstring injury for striker Sergio Aguero, stretchered off after only 20 minutes.

A lacklustre match looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Erazo headed in from a corner on 81 minutes to give Ecuador a shock lead which silenced the Estadio Monumental.

A minute later, Antonio Valencia burst clear down the right flank and squared for Caicedo, who coolly tucked away a low finish past Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

The defeat is certain to pile pressure on Argentina coach Gerardo Martino, already under scrutiny after his side failed to end their title drought in this year’s Copa America.




Argentina's Sergio Aguero is carried off the filed after an injury.Source: AP

In other qualifiers on Thursday, Uruguay overcame the altitude in La Paz to defeat Bolivia 2-0 with goals from Martin Caceres and Diego Godin.


Argentina's players react at the end of their 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match.Source: Reuters

Playing at 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), Uruguay won without two suspended player - Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. It was Uruguay’s first victory in the thin air of La Paz.

Suarez is still suspended for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Cavani was suspended for a red card picked up in the Copa America against Chile.

Teofilo Gutierrez and Edwin Cardona scored in Colombia’s 2-0 victory over Peru in the Colombian city of Barranquilla.


Paraguay defeated Venezuela 1-0 with a goal from Derlis Gonzalez in the 84th minute.

In Tuesday’s second round, the match-ups are: Ecuador vs.

Bolivia; Uruguay vs. Colombia; Paraguay vs. Argentina; Brazil vs. Venezuela; Peru vs. Chile.