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World Cup 2018 Qualifying South America Live Blog

Welcome to our live blog of the South American Zone of the 2018 World Cup Qualifying. This is where you can get latest updates from all 10 national team camps ahead of the March qualifiers, get your daily fix of team news, including injuries and suspensions, and check out the official squads as soon as they are announced.

Friday, 25 March

08:25 CET: Peru face all sorts of problems ahead of the Uruguay game. Juan Manuel Vargas and Jefferson Farfan are out injured, whereas Josepmir Ballon and Carlos Zambrano are suspended.

07:47 CET: Colombia and Argentina enjoy important wins, while Ecuador continue the unbeaten start as Round 5 of 2018 World Cup qualifiers South America draws to a close. Brazil and Uruguay are in action tonight.

Colombia 3-2 Bolivia

Paraguay 2-2 Ecuador

Chile 1-2 Argentina

Peru 2-2 Venezuela

 

Wednesday, 23 March

17: 25 CET: Neymar set to lead Brazil attack against Uruguay. Renato Augusto also expected to start. Probable line-up: Alisson – Dani Alves, Miranda, David Luiz, Felipe Luis – Renato Augusto, Fernandinho, Luiz Gustavo – Willian, Neymar, Douglas Costa.

17:10 CET: Edison Flores set to start for Peru if Claudio Pizarro fails to recover from a thigh problem. Full-back Luis Advincula may avoid ban for attending a night club on his day off.

16:59 CET: Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros will be without Felipe Caicedo for the Paraguay game, whereas Juan Carlos Paredes and Alexander Dominguez are rated doubtful. Gabriel Achilier and Arturo Mina have recovered from injury.

Tuesday, 22 March

11:11 CET: Lanus forward Lautaro Acosta called to replace Nicolas Gaitan, who was forced to withdraw due to a thigh injury.

07:43 CET: Most previews for Round 5 of 2018 World Cup qualifiers have been published. You can check them out below.

Chile vs Argentina

Bolivia vs Colombia

Ecuador vs Paraguay

Peru vs Venezuela

Sunday, 20 March

10:18 CET: Valencia midfielder Enzo Perez has been removed from the Argentina squad as he failed to recover from a muscle problem.

09:46 CET: Benfica star Jonas finally receives Brazil call-up after three and a half-years as he replaces the injured Roberto Firmino, who had earlier replaced Kaka.

09:33 CET: Mathias Corujo becomes the latest Uruguay player to withdraw from the squad. Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez and Emiliano Velazquez are also missing.

09:11 CET: The latest reports suggest Peru star Jefferson Farfan will start against Venezuela as he has responded well to training after recovering from an ankle problem. Raul Ruidiaz also pushing for a start.

07:28 CET: Emelec midfielder Fernando Gaibor has been added to the Ecuador squad as Pedro Larrea pulled out after suffering a muscle strain. Jorge Guagua and his replacement Norberto Araujo had earlier withdrawn due to injury.

06:03 CET: Genoa defender on loan at Nacional Diego Polenta gets a chance to earn his first cap as he has been added to the Uruguay squad for World Cup qualifiers.

Friday, 18 March

08:05 CET: Colombia coach Jose Pekerman reveals his squad for March qualifiers. Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez have not been included.

Thursday, 17 March

18:09 CET: Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros adds Monterrey midfielder Walter Ayovi to his squad for 2018 World Cup qualifiers vs Paraguay and Colombia.

14:45 CET: Juan Antonio Pizzi unveils first part of the Chile squad for Argentina and Venezuela games. Eduardo Vargas and Jorge Valdivia are not in the squad.

Wednesday, 16 March

17:02 CET: Argentina’s Paulo Dybala and Nicolas Otamendi suffer injuries and are set to be accessed ahead of the weekend.

16:51 CET: Marcelo Larrondo will have to wait some more before making his Chile debut as the striker suffers torn meniscus and is set to miss at least a month of action.

16:35 CET: Peru midfielder Carlos Lobaton resumes full training. Jefferson Farfan did some individual training as he closes in on full fitness.

07:30 CET: Ecuador confirm that Norberto Araujo has been called to replace Jorge Guagua, who had suffered a muscle tear as defensive problems for La Tri continue.

Tuesday, 15 March

18:32 CET: Bolivia official Javier Avila confirms Martin Smedberg and Luis Alberto Gutierrez will join the squad on 20 March and 22 March respectively, meaning their chances of facing Colombia on 24 March are very slim.

18:26 CET: Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo confirms he will be in the Chile squad for March qualifiers despite clashing with national team bosses after the 2015 Copa America triumph.

18:22 CET: Arles Flores, Angel Faria and Yeferson Soteldo were the only three players that attended the first Venezuela training. Others will join after the weekend.

18:15 CET: Peru squad complete first training session. Only midfielder Carlos Lobaton misses training as he battles lower back injury. Carlos Zambrano and Claudio Pizarro will join up in a couple of days.

Monday, 14 March

17:38 CET: Gustavo Quinteros reveals Ecuador squad for World Cup qualifiers vs Paraguay and Colombia. Antonio Valencia, Enner Valencia and Jefferson Montero are all included. Miller Bolanos misses out through injury.

14:19 CET: Ecuador striker Felipe Caicedo will miss tonight’s game vs Granada through hamstring problem, but he is still expected to be named in Gustavo Quinteros’ squad that will be announced at 17:00 CET.

14:10 CET: Grasshoppers defender Jean Pierre Rhyner accepts Switzerland Under-20 call-up, but he could still represent Peru at international level.

06:08 CET: Colombia confirm they will face Haiti at Marlins Park in Miami on May 29 in the final warm-up game for Copa America Centenario.

Sunday, 13 March

17:57 CET: Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simone admits that he hopes to take charge of the Argentina national team in the future.

09:45 CET: Espanyol confirm full-back Enzo Roco will be in the Chile squad for World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Venezuela. The 23-year-old has 6 Chile caps up to date.

09:30 CET: Peru coach Ricardo Gareca set to field attack-minded line-up against Venezuela, with Claudio Pizarro, Paolo Guerrero, Christian Cueva and Cristian Benavente all expected to start. Probable Peru starting line-up (4-4-2): Gallese – Advincula, Zambrano, Calles, Vargas – Ballon, Tapia, Benavente, Cueva – Guerrero, Pizarro.

Saturday, 12 March

10:45 CET: Bolivia Football Federation (FBF) reveals that all players who reject a call-up to the national team will be suspended from all football for one year.

10:38 CET: Rosario Central confirm that Marcelo Larrondo had earned his first ever call-up to the Chile national team after switching his allegiance from Argentina.

10:29 CET: Raul Rudiaz, Andy Polo and Edison Flores are among home-based players in the Peru squad that coach Ricardo Gareca named for March qualifiers.

Friday, 11 March

08:58 CET: Bolivia midfielder Walter Veizaga will miss the March qualifiers through injury, whereas defender Edward Zenteno faces a race against time to be fit.

08:04 CET: Werder Bremen confirm Claudio Pizarro will miss Bayern Munich clash through muscle injury. The veteran striker should, nonetheless, recover in time to join the Peru squad.

Thursday, 10 March

21:58 CET: Colombia coach Jose Nestor Pekerman reveals the list of 8 home-based players in the squad to face Bolivia and Ecuador. Included are: Robinson Zapata, William Tesillo, Sebastian Perez, Victor Ibarbo, Farid Diaz, Marlos Moreno, Guillermo Celis and Daniel Torres.

18:55 CET: More problems for Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros as he prepares to announce his squad on Monday. With Gabriel Achillier out injured and his replacement Arturo Mina struggling for fitness, Jorge Guagua or Norberto Araujo could start against Paraguay. However, Renato Ibarra and Michael Arroyo have returned from lengthy spells on the sidelines and they could be included.

15:38 CET: Rosario Central confirm they have not received invitation from Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi for striker Marcelo Larrondo, meaning the forward will not be in the squad for March qualifiers. Larrondo is in the process of receiving Chilean passport, but the paperwork was not completed in time to make his debut.

14:26 CET: Uruguay announce Trinidad & Tobago friendly to be played on 27 May at Estadio Centenario. This will be La Celeste’s only warm-up game for 2016 Copa America Centenario.

08:15 CET: Premier League stars Enner Valencia and Antonio Valencia should be included in Ecuador squad after recovering from injury. Jefferson Montero, Juan Carlos Paredes, Frickson Erazo and Juan Cazares are also tipped to be on the roster that is announced on Monday.

07:32 CET: La Tercera confirms that Felipe Gutierrez and Francisco Silva will be in the Chile squad for March qualifiers. La Roja coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is expected to reveal his list at a press conference next week, but the two players have already seen invitations arrive at their respective clubs.

06:25 CET: Peru defender Carlos Zambrano slams Pescara forward Gianluca Lapadula for hesitating over switching his allegiance to Peru. The Juventus target still hopes to receive Italy call-up, but admitted he may play for La Blanquirroja in the future.

Wednesday, 9 March

18:16 CET: Julio Cesar Baldivieso unveils 33-man squad for 2018 World Cup qualifiers vs Colombia and Argentina. Alejandro Chumacero is included after sorting out his problems with the national team head coach.

14:48 CET: Due to difficult situation in Venezuela, Chile plan to arrive two days earlier, carrying food, drinks and other supplies to avoid any problems. Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has yet to name his squad for March qualifiers.

13:40 CET: Diego Penny expected to be handed starting goalkeeping role for Peru in matches vs Venezuela and Uruguay.

08:24 CET: Brazil coach Carlos Dunga has suggested that Barcelona superstar Neymar will be in the squad for 2016 Summer Olympics rather than playing at the Copa America Centenario.

07:30 CET: Problems for Bolivia national team continue as midfielder Alejandro Chumacero is reportedly set to reject the call-up for March qualifiers. Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona defender Luis Alberto Gutierrez should be one of just five foreign-based players in the squad that will be announced later today.

06:15 CET: Peru medical team confirm Jefferson Farfan and Carlos Ascues have recovered ahead of schedule and should be in contention for the Venezuela game. Carlos Zambrano should be fit in 5 to 7 days after suffering a muscle strain.

Tuesday, 8 March

16:33 CET: Ramon Diaz names Paraguay squad for Ecuador and Brazil qualifiers. As expected, Juan Manuel Iturbe is included, but one star player has been omitted.

14:38 CET: Chile midfielder Pablo Hernandez ruled out of March qualifiers as Celta Vigo confirm he is set to miss a month through knee injury.

13:43 CET: Tata Martino announces Argentina squad for games vs Chile and Bolivia. There are several surprises among the 29 players on the list.

10:36 CET: After Rosario Central confirmed Argentina call for Javier Pinola, River Plate revealed Gabriel Mercado and and Leonel Vangioni are in the squad as well.

10:27 CET: Argentina national team coach Gerardo Martino will name his squad later today and the latest reports suggest that Carlos Tevez, Fernando Gago, Ezequiel Garay and Ezequiel Lavezzi will all be left out. Villarreal centre-back Mateo Musacchio and Werder Bremen full-back Santiago Garcia are tipped to receive call-ups.

09:33 CET: Former Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes is surprised that Eagles hotshot Jonas did not receive Brazil call-up for the March qualifiers. The 31-year-old, who has 8 Selecao caps up to date, has scored 26 goals in 25 league matches for Benfica this season.

07:20 CET: Bolivia coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso will announce his 30-man squad today at 16:00 CET (11:00 local time). Veteran defender Nelson Cabrera (0/0) and in-form midfielder Alejandro Chumacero (29/1) should be included.

07:12 CET: Peru schedule El Salvador friendly on 29 May to serve as one of the final warm-up games for 2016 Copa America Centenario.

Monday, 7 March

20:56 CET: Bournemouth forward Juan Manuel Iturbe confirms his decision to represent Paraguay at international level. As a result, the 22-year-old should be named in La Albirroja squad for qualifiers against Ecuador and Brazil.

20:44 CET: Rosario Central defender Javier Pinola is set to receive Argentina call-up nine years after earning his first and only cap, due to injury to Jonatan Maidana.

20:25 CET: Peru boss Ricardo Gareca announces first part of the squad for games vs Venezuela and Uruguay. The list of 13 players based abroad includes most star names, but there are some surprises as well.

16:04 CET: Ecuador striker Miller Bolanos has been ruled out of March qualifiers as he is set to miss 4-6 weeks through a broken jaw. Bolanos started all four qualifiers, scoring one goal.

15:55 CET: Maxi Pereira and Diego Godin are both suspended for the match against Brazil, whereas Sao Paolo centre-back Diego Lugano has been overlooked.

Earlier News

Brazil coach Carlos Dunga was the first to announce his squad for upcoming matches, although he was since forced to call Roberto Firmino as a replacement for Kaka, who is out with a groin problem.

Manchester United starlet Guillermo Varela was included in the Uruguay squad for games vs Selecao and Peru, with Luis Suarez returning after a lengthy suspension.

Venezuela coach Noel Sanvicente has also announced his squad, sprinting quite a few surprises in the process and including 18-year-old forward Adalberto Penaran.

Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca will reveal his list later today, but while Jefferson Farfan should be included despite struggling through injury, star players Andre Carrillo and Carlos Ascues are set to miss out.

Chile face serious problems as well, seeing that Eduardo Vargas and Arturo Vidal are suspended for the Argentina game, but Rosario Central striker Marcelo Larrondo could be handed his first ever call-up.

Stay tuned for more updates…

Upcoming Fixtures (All times CET)

24 March 

21:00 Bolivia vs Colombia

22:00 Ecuador vs Paraguay

00:30 Chile vs Argentina

03:15 Peru vs Venezuela

25 March 

01:45 Brazil vs Uruguay

29 March

22:30 Colombia vs Ecuador

01:00 Uruguay vs Peru

01:30 Argentina vs Bolivia

01:30 Venezuela vs Chile

01:45 Paraguay vs Brazil

About IST staff

IST employs a team of writers with an extensive experience in the gaming industry, who are passionate about football and ready to go the extra mile to provide our readers with inside information on top football clubs, players and national teams. We always ensure to only use reputable sources and we hope you will enjoy the content on our site.
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