With only two matches to go, only Brazil has managed to secure their spot in the Russia 2018 World Cup. No other team is truly safe in CONMEBOL, and up to seven teams can still reach or lose their qualifying spot.
In CONMEBOL; the South American football ruling entity, there are 4 direct spots, with the fifth-placed team qualifying for an inter-confederation play-off against the winner of the Third Round in Oceania Football Confederation's qualifiers (Won by New Zealand).
The final two qualifiers will be played on Oct 5 and Oct 10. Who will be the other three teams to qualify from South America, and who will go to the play-off is yet to be decided.
URUGUAY
Cavani has been in fantastic form since the start of last season, scoring 56 goals in 58 games with PSG. He also leads the top scorers table of the qualifiers, with 9 goals.
Of all 7 teams currently fighting to qualify, Uruguay is the one who has it the easiest, with matches against already eliminated Venezuela and Bolivia; away and at home, respectively. Right now they hold 2nd place, with 27 points. Even though just 4 points separate them from sixth-placed Chile, Uruguay would have to lose or draw both matches, to fail to qualify.
However, securing at least one win against either Venezuela or Bolivia should not pose a difficult task for the small southern nation, considering they count with some of the best strikers and defenders in the game.
- Uruguay's manager is cautious with Venezuela, "We won't risk everything versus Venezuela".
- Uruguay has not lost against Venezuela in the qualifiers since 2004.
- Venezuela has only lost once, versus Brazil, in their last 5 home matches.
COLOMBIA
Colombia, just like Uruguay, also has a foot already on Russia. Having accumulated 26 points, they only need a win to be safe from falling below 5th place. Unlike "Los Charruas", though, their matches are fairly harder and more complicated.
In their next matches Colombia will receive 7th place Paraguay; which still has hope of reaching the play-off, and afterwards, face Peru, currently in 4th place, in an away match. Colombia simply cannot lose if they want a direct qualification spot but their opponents are in a similar position and will no doubt fight nail and tooth to the bitter end.
- Colombia has not lost at home in their last 6 home matches.
- "El Tigre" Falcao started the season with a bang, scoring 12 in 8 matches of Ligue 1.
- James Rodriguez has had a slow start to the season in the Bundesliga, featuring in only 3 matches, for a total of 107 minutes.
PERU
The Peruvians currently stand in 4th place, but they will need to prevail against two of the best teams in CONMEBOL to remain there.
Peru arrives in great form for the final two matches, they have not tasted defeat in 2017, having won 3 and drawn 1 this year. That is to say, they have obtained a total of 10 points out of 12 possible, becoming clear contenders for a spot in Russia.
As already mentioned, Peru will receive Colombia on Oct 10, but before that they will have to visit an Argentina team that will be out for blood in order to secure a place in next year's competition after much struggling in the qualifiers. But Peru cannot falter, Chile is hot on their heels too, only a point behind.
- In their last six qualifiers they have only lost to Brazil.
- Peru has not been to a World Cup in over 30 years.
- In 1985 was the last time Peru beat Argentina.
ARGENTINA
Argentina is currently fifth in the table, but qualification is anything but guaranteed.
Despite all their household names, The "Albiceleste" has yet to earn their ticket to Russia 2018. Argentina has struggled since the start of the qualifiers, but time is running out and any more mistakes could mean a World Cup devoid of one of the bigger teams in the game, and most importantly, devoid of the best player in the world.
Argentina's final fixtures will be against Peru, 4th, and Ecuador, 7th. Both teams still with hope of being part of the 32 teams that will go to Russia next year.
Even though Peru and Argentina share the same point tally, the first has scored more goals. "La Albiceleste" may find an easier match against Ecuador, which might be eliminated by Oct 10, but a defeat or draw to Peru could see them lose their spot to Chile and leave them in a more dire situation.
- Argentina has scored just 16 goals. Only Bolivia has scored less.
- Lucas Pratto with 2 goals, has scored more than Higuaín and Agüero combined.
- Argentina got 2 out of 9 possible points from their last 3 matches.
CHILE
The two-time South American Champions are on the verge of missing out on Russia 2018.
Since the start of the qualifiers, Chile has been irregular; winning one matchday, then losing on the next. Despite their stellar performances that won them two Copa America, in the World Cup Qualifiers they have not lived up to the expectations. If they fail to reach Russia, we might not see this golden generation in another big tournament.
Their first obstacle will be Ecuador at home; against whom they have a great record. It's in Chile's best interest to secure 3 points versus Ecuador, because afterwards they will have to visit Brazil; who, even though is already qualified, won't be an easy opponent to anyone.
- "La Roja" has only won 1 match of 4 disputed in 2017, against Venezuela.
- Neither Charles Aranguiz (injured), Pablo Hernandez (injured) nor Marcelo Diaz (not called); vital parts of Chile's midfield, will be available.
- Chile has never lost at home versus Ecuador.
PARAGUAY
Difficult but not impossible. Paraguay dreams of visiting Russia next summer.
Currently in 7th, they will need to win their final fixtures if they want to scalate at least to 5th place. However, even if they won both matches, they would still need to depend on the results of the other matches. Two wins in 2017 gave them hope of something bigger.
The schedule for Paraguay is as follows: On Oct 5 they will visit Barranquilla, where Colombia will fight to the death to achieve their own dream. Then, on Oct 10, a match against already eliminated Venezuela, which may be pointless if they don't win versus Colombia. It's fight or die for Paraguay.
- Paraguay has the worst goal difference of all seven teams at -6.
- Darío Lezcano is their top scorer, with 4 goals in 8 matches.
- Paulo Da Silva, Paraguay's captain, is suspended for the match against Colombia.
ECUADOR
For Ecuador, not even winning will be enough.
Ecuador started out strong, winning their first 4 matches, but after that they have only managed to win twice. Now, they accumulate 4 loses in 4 matches in 2017 and hope has mostly vanished. However, there is still a chance if they win their final fixtures. A miracle needs to occur, yes, but this is football after all, and crazier things have happened.
Only a win will do for Ecuador, but their opponents will be anything but simple. None other than the desperate-to-qualify, two-time South American champions, Chile. After that, the will play the also desperate-to-qualify, two-time South American finalist Argentina.
- Their 4 consecutive loses is their worst streak since 1993.
- Ecuador has scored 42% of their goals (10) after the 75th minute.
- Jorge Célico was recently appointed as new manager.
Photo Sources:
www.fifa.com
www.elpais.com
www.colombia.as.com
www.eluniverso.com
www.lanacion.com.ar
www.reporterosasociados.com.co
www.eldiario.com.ec
