Argentina, Brazil win World Cup qualifiers

SAO PAULO (AP):

Leaders Brazil and second-place Argentina won their away matches in South American World Cup qualifiers on Thursday night ahead of their superclasico. Neither Lionel Messi nor Neymar had great performances for their teams.

Brazil topped Chile 1-0 in Santiago in a tense match despite the absence of nine of their England-based players, including five starters, who were not released by their clubs due to COVID-19-related quarantine restrictions.

The only goal of the match was scored by substitute Everton Ribeiro. Brazil now have 21 points with seven wins after seven matches. Chile are seventh with six points.

Shortly before Argentina beat Venezuela 3-1 at the Olimpico Stadium in Caracas. Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa and Angel Correa scored for the visitors. Jeferson Soteldo netted from the spot for the hosts seconds before the final whistle.

Argentina are second on the table with 15 points. Venezuela are on the bottom of the 10-team round robin with four points.

This round of South American qualifiers has seen several England-based players not travel due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the British government to countries of the region. Argentina, though, did not lose any of the four they called in.

Brazil were without five frequent starters for the match. Goalkeeper Ederson, defender Thiago Silva, midfielder Fred and strikers Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus did not travel to South America.

Coach Tite decided to change the team’s formation to use four men up front; Lucas Paquetá, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Barbosa and Neymar.

Asked about Sunday’s clasico against Argentina, Ribeiro said it will not be a rematch after Argentina’s 1-0 victory at the Maracana Stadium in July’s Copa America final.

“But it will be a historic match, facing Argentina is always tough,” he said.

VENEZUELA 1-3 ARGENTINA

The Copa America champions played with a man advantage after 32 minutes when defender Venezuelan Adrián Martinez was sent off after a harsh tackle on Messi.

Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, assisted by Giovanni Lo Celso. Joaquin Correa doubled the lead in the 71st minute from the edge of the box after a quick exchange with Messi and Lautaro. Ángel Correa netted the third from close range three minutes later.

Argentina’s victory was clinched when Soteldo scored for the hosts from the spot.

“Today we had a great first half and they were down one,” Lautaro said. “After we scored we managed to work with more gaps so we could bring the three points home.”

Had Argentina lost to Venezuela they would have been overtaken by Ecuador, who beat Paraguay 2-0 hours earlier. Felix Torres scored the first goal in the 88th minute with a header. Michael Estrada netted his in added time. Argentina have 15 points and Ecuador 12 in third place.

Colombia have nine points after securing a 1-1 draw with Bolivia in the altitude of La Paz. Also on Thursday, Peru and Uruguay drew 1-1 in Lima.