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▒ Category
[Awards Review]
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▶ Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay qualify as Messi equals Cristiano
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[2025/09/08 ]
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Lionel Messi enjoyed an unforgettable farewell in Argentina as Estevao dazzled for Brazil, while Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay reached the FIFA World Cup 26.
 Uruguay and Colombia reached the FIFA World Cup 26™ with thumping victories, while Paraguay also advanced. The automatic-qualification hopes of Venezuela and Bolivia ended, leaving them to battle it out for the region’s ticket to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Elsewhere, Lionel Messi enjoyed an emotional farewell in Argentina, and marked the occasion by equalling a Cristiano Ronaldo landmark, while 18-year-old Estevao exhilarated for Brazil.
Results
Colombia 3-0 Bolivia
Uruguay 3-0 Peru
Argentina 3-0 Venezuela
Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Brazil 3-0 Chile
Colombia 3-0 Bolivia
Colombia goals: James Rodriguez (31), Jhon Cordoba (74), Juan Quintero (83)
For as a nation as futbol-impassioned as Colombia, missing Qatar 2022 hurt and hurt badly. Now the Tricolor can relish returning to sport’s biggest show. James, who threatened to quit the national team after that aforementioned failure, got Nestor Lorenzo’s charges rolling. Can the 34-year-old, with Jhon Arias, Luis Diaz, Duran, Daniel Munoz and Richard Rios for elite company, inspire Colombia to their best-ever finish in North America?
Quote
“We started the first half under a lot of pressure. They had their chances. We came out a bit rushed, but then we controlled things with our game-changing players and delivered the final blow. There’s nothing better than clinching qualification at home. Thanks to God, our families and all of Colombia.”
Davinson Sanchez, Colombia player
Stat
James became Colombia’s outright-record marksman in World Cup qualifying (14 goals), outranking Radamel Falcao. The attacking midfielder also became the second Tricolor player to register 30 international goals after Falcao (36).
Uruguay 3-0 Peru
Uruguay goals: Rodrigo Aguirre (14), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (58), Federico Vinas (80)
Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta excelled as Los Charrúas reached a fifth successive World Cup and extinguished La Blanquirroja‘s hopes. The late-blooming striker got a goal and an assist, while the mercurial midfielder ran the first two-thirds of the contest and scored. Marcelo Bielsa, who coached Argentina at Korea/Japan 2002 and Chile at South Africa 2010, will now look to make third time a charm with Uruguay.
Quote
“I’m satisfied with the game. It was a good way to qualify. The attacking play and the individual performances were good. There were a lot of people in the stadium, and fortunately the performance was worthy enough for the public.”
Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay coach
Stat
Uruguay qualified for a fifth successive World Cup for the first time in their history.
Argentina 3-0 Venezuela
Argentina goals: Lionel Messi (39 & 80), Lautaro Martinez (76)
If that was Messi’s last competitive game for the Albiceleste in Argentina, then what a way to bow out. ‘The Atomic Flea’ rounded up two splendid team moves – the first with a delightful dink – amid a carnival atmosphere at the Monumental. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina are now a staggering 10 points clear of their nearest challengers. Venezuela must strive to hold off Bolivia on the final matchday and seize South America’s ticket to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Quote
“Being able to finish this way, here, with my own people, is what I always dreamed of. For many years I received so much love in Barcelona. My dream was to have that in my country, with my people. I’ll take with me all the good things we did, with the group that tried but couldn’t clinch a title. After that I got my chance, along with some players from the previous generation. Everything we experienced was beautiful.”
Lionel Messi, Argentina player
Stat
Messi raced past Ali Daei and into joint-second place, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, on the all-time leading scorers in World Cup qualifying (36 goals apiece). The 38-year-old trails only Carlos Ruiz (39).
Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Los Guaraníes are back. They will end a 16-year wait to play on football’s most prestigious platform after Gustavo Alfaro masterminded an implausible transformation. Sebastian Beccacece’s Tricolor had already qualified, but saw their hopes of finishing second diminish.
Stat
Paraguay have kept six clean sheets in 11 outings under Alfaro.
Brazil 3-0 Chile
Brazil goals: Estevao (38), Lucas Paqueta (72), Bruno Guimaraes (76)
There were positives aplenty for Carlo Ancelotti at the Maracana. Estevao started, sizzled and scored. Luiz Henrique rose from the bench, hip-shook opponents into humiliation, and set up two goals. Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro excelled in the engine room. Brazil delivered a bold reminder of why they will be title contenders next year.
Quote
“My first goal for the Brazilian national team, at the Maracana, I’ve dreamed of this since childhood. I dedicate it to my family who are in London. We always try to give our best to give happiness to the supporters.”
Estevao, Brazil player
Stat
Estevao, at 18 years and 133 days, became the youngest Brazilian and third-youngest player to score in South American qualifying for the World Cup. Paraguayan Gustavo Neffa and Ecuadorian Kendry Paez were 17 and 16 respectively.
World Cup participations
Brazil (22)
Argentina (18)
Uruguay (14)
Chile (9)
Paraguay (8)
Colombia (6)
Peru (5)
Ecuador (4)
Bolivia (3)
Venezuela (0)
Best World Cup finish
Brazil: Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002)
Argentina: Champions (1978, 1986 & 2022)
Uruguay: Champions (1930 & 1950)
Chile: Third place (1962)
Peru: Quarter finals (1970 & 1978)
Colombia: Quarter-finals (2014)
Paraguay: Quarter-finals (2010)
Ecuador: Last 16 (2006)
Bolivia: Group stage (1930, 1950 & 1994)
- The origianl text resource is from FIFA Official Website |
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