Bobadilla’s first Copa, Ferraresi struggles, Tapia quiet v Brazil | OneFootball

Venezuelan defender couldn’t stop the best in the world (Photo: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

MARCIO MONTEIRO

@avantmtricolor

This FIFA Date, Thursday night (4th), was reserved for the first matches of the South American Qualifiers period for the World Cup, with three São Paulo players taking the field.

Bobadilla played little, but achieved his first qualification for a World Cup with Paraguay, the Venezuelan Ferraresi suffered from Messi’s magic in his farewell match in the Qualifiers with Argentina, and Tapia was barely noticed in the match where Chile was defeated by Brazil 3-0.

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Paraguay, at home, drew 0-0 with Ecuador, a result sufficient to put the country back in a World Cup after 16 years of absence. The midfielder Bobadilla started on the bench this time and played only the final eight minutes of the match that secured Paraguay’s spot.

The São Paulo player had little time, but completed all four of his passes in the game, as well as winning his only ball duel, helping secure the result for his national team.

WHAT A TOUGH ONE, FERRARESI...

Venezuela, meanwhile, had a tough mission ahead: facing Argentina away. Ferraresi started, but couldn’t prevent the three goals from the opponents, two of them by Messi. The Tricolor defender finished with six defensive actions, won two out of five duels, and completed 21 out of 27 passes in the match against the Argentinians.

The situation for ‘Vino Tinto’ remains undecided for the World Cup. The country remains in 7th place, in the zone that grants a playoff spot for the Cup, and now fights for the position only with Bolivia, who will host Brazil at altitude in the final round.

Depending only on themselves, Venezuela will also play at home, seeking their first-ever World Cup qualification, against already-qualified Colombia.

Another who started on the bench and played for 31 minutes in the second half was Chilean forward Gonzalo Tapia. Against Brazil, he had a discreet performance, but completed all eight passes he attempted. However, he lost four possessions and missed the only cross he tried. In the end, the already-eliminated country lost 3-0 at the Maracanã.

The 18th and final round of the qualifiers, with only the playoff spot left to be decided, takes place next Tuesday (9th), with all matches at the same time, 8:30 pm (Brasília time).

Chile closes out their disappointing campaign at home against Uruguay, Paraguay visits Peru, while Venezuela plays the match of their lives against Colombia in front of their home crowd.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.