Venezuela step closer to World Cup playoff berth
Bolivian Héctor Cuellar scored an own goal in the fifth minute on Friday after a simple pass to goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra ended in the back of the net.
The hosts added a second in the 30th minute when striker Salomón Rondón, Venezuela's all-time top goal scorer with 47 goals, chested down a cross from Nahuel Ferraresi and scored with his left foot.
Bolivia, who now trail Venezuela by four points with only three rounds to play, never threatened goalkeeper Rafael Romo at the Monumental Stadium in the eastern city of Maturin, Venezuela.
Also on Friday, Colombia drew 0-0 with Peru 0-0 at home and failed to overtake Brazil in the standings. It was Colombia's fifth consecutive match without a win.
The hosts at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla missed suspended striker Luis Díaz, who scored six goals in World Cup qualifying. Jhon Córdoba and Rafael Santos Borré were also out due to injury.
World Cup champions Argentina, who secured their 2026 berth in March, lead South American qualifying after 15 matches with 34 points.
Ecuador and Paraguay are next with 24 points, but the Ecuadorians have a better goal difference. Brazil are in fourth with 22 points.
Uruguay and Colombia, both with 21 points, are fifth and sixth, respectively, separated by goal difference.
Venezuela, the only South American team to have never competed in a World Cup, have 18 points.
Bolivia, who still have a chance of moving into seventh, have 14. Peru and Chile have 11 and 10 points respectively.
Several teams could secure their World Cup spots in Tuesday's next set of matches. Ecuador will clinch their spot with a win at Peru and Brazil could also secure their berth with a win, provided Venezuela don't add points at Uruguay.
Colombia will have to beat Lionel Messi's Argentina in Buenos Aires to come close to their spot before the two final rounds in September. Bolivia will have to overcome Chile at home to keep their chances alive.
All 10 South American nations play each other home and away. The top six countries qualify directly to the finals next year in North America.
The seventh-place South American team, currently Venezeula, will go into the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026 in North America where six teams will vie for the remaining two spots in the main tournament.
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