Fifa Brazil World Cup 2014: South American Qualifying

Wednesday, 12th September 2012 at 10:35am

The South American qualifying zone saw another four matches take place as the region's top clubs resumed their battle for a place at Brazil 2014.

Table toppers Argentina lined up against third from bottom Peru and were held to a 1-1 draw in Lima.

Coach Alejandro Sabella predicted that Peru would provide a sterner test than their position belied and he was proved correct.

Carlos Zambrano gave the hosts the lead after 22 minutes but Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain leveled things up 16 minutes later to earn a share of the spoils.

Colombia climbed to second place thanks to a 3-1 win away at Chile, the side that previously occupied second.

Matias Fernandez gave the hosts the lead before halftime but goals from James Rodriguez, star striker Radomel Falcao and Teofilo Gutierrez after the break pushed Colombia one step closer towards a first finals appearance since 1994.

Venezuela boosted their chances of an appearance at Brazil 2014 with a 2-0 win away at Paraguay. The hosts, who are rooted to the bottom, kept the scores level until the final minute of the first half when Jose Rondon opened the scoring.

The Venezuelan bagged his second of the game to take his side to within one point of Uruguay in fourth.

Two-time World Cup winners Uruguay's poor run of form continued as they were held 1-1 at home to Ecuador.

Felipe Caicedo opened the scoring after just eight minutes but his goal was cancelled out by Edinson Cavani's second half goal to share the points.

There were four matches played in the South American qualifying zone for the 2014 Brazil World Cup and Colombia recorded the biggest win, thumping Uruguay 4-0 in Barranquilla.

Leading 1-0 at half time due to a second minute Radomel Falcao strike, the hosts overwhelmed the two-time World Cup winners after the break with goals from Teofilo Gutierrez, who scored two in five minutes, and an injury time fourth from Juan Zuniga.

The win saw Colombia close the gap on Uruguay in 4th place to a single point.

Argentina moved back to the top of the group, one point ahead of second placed Chile thanks to a 3-1 win at home to struggling Paraguay.

Goals from Angel di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi were enough to secure all three points.

Paraguay's loss saw them stay rooted to the bottom of the league, level on points with Bolivia who were beaten 1-0 by Ecuador who remain on course to qualify for Brazil.

In the remaining game, two goals from Jefferson Farfan helped Peru come from a goal down to beat Venezuela 2-1 and keep their slender hopes of qualification alive.

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