- The competition will resume in March 2025.
- Six matches remain, and all teams still have a chance to qualify.
The 2024 South American Qualifiers have concluded: Matchdays 11 and 12 brought thrilling games, and the fight for a spot in the 2026 World Cup will continue next year.
Argentina remains in the lead, while Ecuador secured six points, and Chile achieved its first victory of the qualifiers.
Matchday 11
- Venezuela 1-1 Brazil (November 14, Maturín): The Verdeamarela took the lead at the end of the first half with a free-kick goal by Raphinha. Venezuela equalized early in the second half with a goal by Segovia. Romo saved a penalty from Vinícius Jr.
- Paraguay 2-1 Argentina (November 14, Asunción): Paraguay came from behind to defeat the reigning CONMEBOL Copa América™ champions, who had taken the lead through Lautaro Martínez. Antonio Sanabria and Omar Alderete scored for Paraguay, which hadn’t beaten Argentina at home since 2009.
- Ecuador 4-0 Bolivia (November 14, Guayaquil): A dominant win for Ecuador against a direct rival that could have surpassed them in the standings. Plata scored twice, with Valencia and Minda also contributing.
- Uruguay 3-2 Colombia (November 15, Montevideo): The standout match of the doubleheader took place at the Centenario Stadium. Colombia scored first through Quintero, but Uruguay turned it around with an own goal by Dávinson Sánchez and a debut goal from Rodrigo Aguirre. Colombia equalized in stoppage time through Andrés Gómez, but Uruguay clinched the win with a goal by Ugarte in the 90+11th minute.
- Peru 0-0 Chile (November 15, Lima): In a game featuring the returns of historic players Paolo Guerrero and Arturo Vidal, neither team managed to break the deadlock under coaches Fossati and Gareca.
Matchday 12
- Bolivia 2-2 Paraguay (November 19, El Alto): The hosts led twice through goals by Ervin Vaca and Miguel Terceros, but Paraguay equalized through Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso in stoppage time.
- Colombia 0-1 Ecuador (November 19, Barranquilla): A massive win for Becaccece’s side, with Enner Valencia scoring the decisive goal to secure six points in the doubleheader and climb to third place in the standings.
- Argentina 1-0 Peru (November 19, Buenos Aires): Lionel Scaloni’s team bounced back from their loss in Paraguay with a win courtesy of Lautaro Martínez, the top scorer of the last CONMEBOL Copa América™.
- Chile 4-2 Venezuela (November 19, Santiago): Venezuela took an early 2-0 lead with goals by Savarino and Rubén Ramírez, but Chile responded to claim its first win of the qualifiers. Vargas, an own goal by Rincón, and a brace from Lucas Cepeda secured the comeback under Gareca’s management.
- Brazil 1-1 Uruguay (November 19, Salvador): Uruguay struck first with a stunning goal by Federico Valverde, but Brazil equalized through Gerson. Both teams remain in World Cup qualification spots.
When Will the Qualifiers Resume?
Six matches remain, all scheduled for 2025. The next doubleheader will take place in March.
How Many Teams Qualify for the World Cup?
CONMEBOL has six direct berths for the 2026 World Cup, while the seventh-place team will enter a playoff.
Standings
Argentina: 25 points (+14 GD)
Uruguay: 20 points (+8 GD)
Ecuador: 19 points (+7 GD)
Colombia: 19 points (+5 GD)
Brazil: 18 points (+6 GD)
Paraguay: 17 points (+1 GD)
Bolivia: 13 points (-14 GD)
Venezuela: 12 points (-4 GD)
Chile: 9 points (-11 GD)
Peru: 7 points (-12 GD)
