In a new day of the South American qualifiers for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the top quarter of the table saw no changes, a situation very different from the middle of the pack, where at least four countries are fighting for one automatic qualifying spot, or the opportunity to play in an additional “wild card” round.

Brazil, who with a victory against Colombia on Oct. 10, date would have assured mathematical qualification to the World Cup, must now wait, after a 0-0 tie. The next chance to seal qualification is its game on Thursday, Oct. 14, and be the first team to qualify from the continent. For its part, at the bottom side of the table, Venezuela and Bolivia scored important wins over Ecuador and Peru respectively. It leaves both with still a slim chance of classifying.

Argentina, which is second in the qualifying table, scored a strong win against Uruguay in the so-called "classic of La Plata” (for the La Plata River that divides Buenos Aires and Montevideo), where Lionel Messi made history with his 80th goal as part of the national team — the first South American in reach that number with his country. Likewise, Brazil's Thiago Silva capped his 100th international match. 

Chile won a key game against Paraguay, who still has a chance, although distant, to get to Qatar and fight until the last date. It has Colombia — which occupies the 5th place — in its sights.

• Bolivia 1 - Peru 0
• Venezuela 2 - Ecuador 1
• Colombia 0 - Brazil 0
• Argentina 3 - Uruguay 0
• Chile 2 - Paraguay 0

1. Brazil (10 games played) 28 points
2. Argentina (10 games played) 22 points
3. Ecuador (11 games played) 16 points (+7 Goal Difference)
4. Uruguay (11 games played) 16 points (0 Goal Difference)
5. Colombia (11 games played) 15 points (0 Goal Difference)
6. Paraguay (11 games played) 12 points (-4 Goal Difference)
7. Peru (11 games played) 11 points (-8 Goal Difference)
8. Chile (11 games played) 10 points (-3 Goal Difference)
9. Bolivia (11 games played) 9 points (-12 Goal Difference)
10. Venezuela (11 games played) 7 points (-11 Goal Difference)

Thursday, Oct. 14

• Bolivia vs Paraguay - La Paz, 4:00 p.m. (EDT)
• Colombia vs Ecuador - Barranquilla 5:00 p.m. (EDT)
• Argentina vs Peru - Buenos Aires 7:30 p.m. (EDT)
• Chile vs Venezuela 8:00 p.m. (EDT)
• Brazil vs Uruguay 8:30 p.m. (EDT)

After this last FIFA date, there will be another six more days divided between November 2021, and January, February and March 2022. Each will have two games a piece.