Chile’s Alexis Sanchez defends possession from Miranda.
Argentina and Brazil both lost their opening World Cup qualifiers as the South American campaign for Russia 2018 started in unexpected fashion yesterday.
Argentina, who were missing injured striker Lionel Messi, were surprisingly beaten 2-0 at home by Ecuador, a side 30 places behind them in the FIFA rankings.
Frickson Erazo got Ecuador’s first goal after 80 minutes and Felipe Caicedo doubled their lead when he finished off a quick counter attack just a minute later.
“It’s no use just looking at the score,” Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano said.
“We were never superior to them. We could never find answers to the problems that Ecuador gave us,” he added.
Things were no better for five-time World Cup champions Brazil, who went to Chile looking to rebuild their reputation after being hammered 7-1 by eventual winners Germany in last year’s semi-final.
However, coach Dunga’s side could not match the relentless running of a Chilean team that had the momentum with them after winning the Copa America in July.
Hoffenheim striker Eduardo Vargas volleyed home a cross on 72 minutes to put the home side ahead and then Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez got a second from close in with a minute remaining.
Earlier, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia all made winning starts to their campaigns.
Uruguay overcame the high altitude to beat Bolivia (2-0) for the first time in ten qualifiers in La Paz.
Defenders Martin Caceres and Diego Godin scored for Uruguay in the absence of suspended strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, while the frustrated Bolivians had Jair Torrico sent off after 71 minutes.
Colombia, meanwhile, beat Peru 2-0 in high humidity in Barranquilla.
Teofilo Gutierrez scored from a 36th minute header following a corner for 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists Colombia.
Peru striker Paolo Guerrero hit the post early in the second half and Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina brilliantly saved Christian Cueva’s free-kick before substitute Edwin Cardona scored the second goal in added time.
Paraguay, recovering from their disappointment at not reaching the 2014 tournament in Brazil, scored an 85th minute winner from Derlis Gonzalez for a 1-0 victory away to Venezuela.
Results
Argentina vs Ecuador 0-2
Bolivia vs Uruguay 0-2
Chile vs Brazil 2-0
Colombia vs Peru 2-0
Venezuela vs Paraguay 0-1
Next Matches
October 13-14: Ecuador vs Bolivia; Uruguay vs Colombia; Paraguay vs Argentina; Brazil vs Venezuela; Peru vs Chile.