The CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers continued Thursday evening with four more games around South America. Here is what has gone down so far.
Venezuela 1-1 Argentina
Scorers: Rondón 65′ ; Otamendi 13′
Venezuela fought back to earn a home draw against world champions Argentina on a waterlogged pitch in Monagas.
The game was delayed some time due to the water on the pitch, and while it eventually got underway in front of a packed house, the ball could hardly move through the puddles that soaked the grass.
Nonetheless, the visitors took the lead through the unlikely source of Nicolás Otamendi, who popped up from defence to head home the opener. Venezuela responded well, however.
The home side perhaps should have found the leveller before the half-time break but Messi and his mates were bailed out by a combination of poor finishing and some heroic defending at the back.
Parity was finally rekindled, perhaps deservedly so, when Yeferson Soteldo picked out Salomón Rondón with a pinpoint cross and the veteran striker headed in from close range with aplomb.
The draw sees Argentina remain top of the table for now, while Venezuela move into the top-six, one point clear of Brazil.
Still to come
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