BOLIVIA: In a thrilling night of World Cup qualifiers, Argentina overcame the daunting altitude of La Paz, Bolivia, but did so without their talisman, Lionel Messi, who was notably absent from the lineup. Despite this setback, the Argentinean squad managed to secure a resounding 3-0 victory over Bolivia in their second match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Coach Lionel Scaloni's team displayed their prowess, led by the experienced Ángel Di María and a robust midfield, making it two wins in two qualifiers for Argentina. The first half proved decisive for Argentina, with Enzo Fernández breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute, capitalizing on a low cross by Di María. The veteran striker continued to influence the game, setting up Nicolas Tagliafico with a precise free-kick delivery in the 42nd minute, resulting in a second goal for Argentina.

The match took a more comfortable turn for Argentina when Bolivia's Roberto Fernández received a red card in the 39th minute, reducing the Bolivian challenge. As the game progressed, Nico González sealed Argentina's victory with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute, eluding the grasp of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra.

It was a bittersweet moment for Messi, who watched from the bench in a stadium where Argentina had suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat 14 years prior. Di María commented on the altitude factor, suggesting, "The altitude is psychological."

Messi's absence was attributed to his discomfort, as Scaloni explained, "He was not up to playing... we did not take risks." This absence disappointed many Bolivian fans who had eagerly awaited his arrival.

In another gripping qualifier, Brazil eked out a last-minute 1-0 victory over Peru. The Selecao, fresh off a 5-1 victory over Bolivia, encountered a resolute Peruvian defense that thwarted their early attempts, including two VAR-disallowed goals in the first half. The breakthrough came in the 90th minute when a Neymar corner found the head of Marquinhos, securing a late victory for Brazil.

Interim coach Fernando Diniz witnessed a mixed performance from Brazil, riddled with passing errors, particularly by Neymar. Marquinhos, reflecting on the match, stated, "This will be the face of the national team. We will be very aggressive." Substitute Gabriel Jesus defended Brazil's performance, emphasizing their ongoing evolution as a team.

Meanwhile, Uruguay suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ecuador. Agustín Canobbio opened the scoring for Uruguay in the 38th minute, but Ecuador mounted a strong comeback. Felix Torres equalized with a header just before halftime, and then Torres struck again in the 61st minute after a dynamic play by 16-year-old Kendry Páez. Enner Valencia missed a penalty kick for Ecuador, but they held on for their first victory in the qualifiers.

Venezuela secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay with a late penalty from Salomón Rondón, marking his 40th goal for the national team.

As the South American World Cup qualifying journey continues, Colombia currently holds third place with four points after a goalless draw against Chile. Uruguay and Venezuela each have three points, followed by Paraguay, Peru, and Chile, all with one point each. The next round of qualifiers is set to take place in October. The stakes are high, with direct entry to the 2026 World Cup on the line for the top six teams in South America, while the seventh-place team will face an intercontinental playoff to secure their berth in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

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