Montevideo: Argentina and Chile’s World Cup qualification hopes were left on a knife edge after the South American heavyweights slipped up once again on the road to next year’s finals in Russia.
Argentina needed a second half own goal to help them snatch a 1-1 draw against already-eliminated Venezuela in Buenos Aires while Chile crashed to a 0-1 defeat against Bolivia in La Paz.
The results left 2014 World Cup finalists Argentina and reigning Copa America champions Chile outside of the automatic qualifying places and sets up a nail-biting final two rounds of matches next month.
Argentina are fifth in the standings with 24 points from 16 games while Chile are sixth with 23 points.
The Argentines – who would face a play-off against New Zealand if they remain fifth – host fourth-placed Peru next month in Buenos Aires before an awkward final game at altitude against Ecuador.
Chile meanwhile will face Ecuador in Santiago on October 5, before heading to Brazil for their final qualifier five days later.
At the top of the table, Brazil have already qualified and assured themselves of first place. The Brazilians picked up another point on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw against third-placed Colombia in Barranquilla.
A spectacular volleyed goal from Willian gave the Brazilians the lead on the stroke of half time before Colombia clawed back a share of the points with a battling second half display capped by a headed equaliser from Radamel Falcao.
Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli admitted his team had blown a golden opportunity to force themselves into the automatic qualifying places following Chile’s defeat earlier in the day.
“We have two games left against Peru and Ecuador and we need to win both of them,” Sampaoli said. “We had three chances to score in the first half and everything could have been settled.”
Uruguay meanwhile moved to the brink of qualification with a typically combative 2-1 win over Paraguay in Asuncion. Federico Valverde fired Uruguay into the lead with a deflected shot on 76 minutes before Luis Suarez then broke clear to set up the visitors second.
The Barcelona superstar rounded goalkeeper Anthony Silva and then saw his shot hit the woodwork only to rebound into the net off Gustavo Gomez.
Angel Romero pulled a goal back for Paraguay but hopes of a dramatic late fightback came to nothing.
The result leaves Uruguay second in the standings with 27 points from 16 games. A win in Venezuela in their next game would see them through to the finals.
Italy keep hopes alive with victory
Reggio Emilia (Italy): Ciro Immobile’s second half header got Italy back to winning ways in a 1-0 victory over Israel here to move closer to the World Cup play-offs here Tuesday evening.
Just three days after falling 0-3 to Spain in Madrid the four-time World Champions kept their bid for a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia alive.
The three points in the Mapei Stadium helped Italy consolidate second place in Group G, six points clear of third-placed Albania, who were held 1-1 by Macedonia.
Italy, without injured Giorgio Chiellini and suspended Leonardo Bonucci, were far from convincing after their demolition by Spain.
Coach Giampiero Ventura made two changes in defence from the side that were outclassed at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium bringing in Andrea Conti and Davide Astori. But even then they looked nervous lacked consistency in their attacks.
The only chance they got in the first half was when Lorenzo Insigne broke clear, but his stiff shot was well saved by Ariel Harush under the Israel bar.
But Immobile found the way through after 53 minutes following an Antonio Candreva cross from the right which found the head of the Lazio forward and past Harush.
