The tenth day of the South American qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, in addition to playing a lightning round of three games thanks to the postponements caused by the pandemic, Brazil and Argentina emerged as the first qualifiers from the continent for the next competition. The latest slate of games also eliminated more teams from contention in the tournament considered toughest qualifier in the world.

Just as the South American giants took advantage and consolidated at the top of the table, including Uruguay, which won a duel with Ecuador, they were also the two competing teams in a global scandal after the Brazilian authorities suspended the South American football classic because some Argentine players violated COVID safety protocols before playing. So far, there has not been an official decision for the points that were at stake in the matchup.

The latest slate of games will also go down in history thanks to the “hat trick” Lionel Messi pegged against Bolivia, allowing him to break Pelé's record as the top scorer on a national teams and hit 79 goals (in 153 games). The Brazilian legend scored 77 goals in 92 games. Not to be left behind, his partner at PSG, Neymar Jr., also became Brazil's top scorer in South American qualifiers, surpassing the historic Zico and Romário.

For its part, and trying to avoid a new conflict of interest between the clubs and the national teams, a response is also expected on a proposal that would play the remaining games in October.

Here are all the results from matchday 13.

- Uruguay 1-0 Ecuador

- Paraguay 2-1 Venezuela

- Colombia 3-1 Chile

- Argentina 3-0 Bolivia

- Brazil 2-0 Peru

Positions table

1. Brazil 24 points (GD 17) * One game in hand

2. Argentina 18 points (GD 9) * One game in hand

3. Uruguay 15 points (GD 3)

4. Ecuador 13 points (GD 5)

5. Colombia 13 points (GD 0)

6. Paraguay 11 points (GD -2)

7. Peru 8 points (GD -9)

8. Chile 7 points (GD -3)

9. Bolivia 6 points (GD -10)

10. Venezuela 4 points (GD -10)

Thursday, Oct. 7

Paraguay vs Argentina, Ecuador vs Bolivia, Uruguay vs Colombia, Peru vs Chile and Venezuela vs Brazil.

Sunday Oct. 10

Argentina vs Uruguay, Colombia vs Brazil, Bolivia vs Peru, Venezuela vs Ecuador and Chile vs Paraguay.

Thursday, Oct. 14

Chile vs Venezuela, Brazil vs Uruguay, Colombia vs Ecuador, Bolivia vs Paraguay and Argentina vs Peru.