Fifa Brazil World Cup 2014: South American Qualifying

Tuesday, 16th October 2012 at 07:28am

In South America, the top three teams all won to establish a gap between them and the rest hoping for a place at Brazil 2014.

Wins for Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia make them favourites to progress to the finals in two years time.

Argentina faced a tough match against reigning South American champions Uruguay but thankfully for the Albiceleste they had Lionel Messi in breathtaking form.

The Flea scored two and set up one as the two-time winners chalked up three goal in the second half to keep them one point clear at the top of the table.

Ecuador recovered from going a goal down against Chile to record a 3-1 win at home. Juan Carlos Paredes scored a comical own goal to give the visitors the lead before a brace from Felipe Caicedo and one from Segundo Castillo were enough for all three points.

Ecuador trail Colombia only on goal difference after the latter beat Paraguay 2-0 in Barranquilla.

South America's bottom team kept the hosts scoreless until the 52nd minute after which they cut loose.

The irrepressible Radamel Falcao opened the scoring and then made sure of the points in the last minute as Colombia look set for a first finals appearance since 1998.

In the round's other match, Bolivia and Peru fought out a 1-1 draw. Juan Carlos Marino gave Peru the lead after 21 minutes before Alejandro Chumacero made sure the points were shared after the break.

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