⏪ WCQ: Argentina edge Chile; Paraguay stun Uruguay; Brazil bore in Ecuador | OneFootball

The latest World Cup qualifying round brought our attention to South America with three games on Thursday night.

Ecuador and Brazil played out a 0-0 draw, Paraguay stunned Uruguay 2-0, and Argentina edged past Chile 1-0. Relive every moment here!

That's all the football from us tonight. Keep an eye out for more World Cup qualifying action to come. Until next time!

A reminder of the night's biggest result.

Match winner Julian Alvarez had this to say after the game: "It was a very nice goal. We had a great first half, and in the second we dropped off a little. But we did well.

"This is a very nice group, and those who join fit in and play very well. I wish him the best (referring to Mastantuono), that he continues to grow and chooses the best for himself; he's a star."

A stat of a champion.

Here's a look at the standings following tonight's games.

Argentina already qualified, with Ecuador and Paraguay on the brink. Brazil and Uruguay could get into trouble. Chile need a miracle.

Cameras quickly turned to catch Alexis Sanchez after this one.

FULL-TIME: Chile 0-1 Argentina

Even with five extra minutes, neither side could find a way to put the ball in the net again. It sees Alvarez's early chip go down as the match-winner for yet another Argentina victory.

Meanwhile, some attention turned away from Messi and onto Franco Mastantuono. The current River Plate star is the youngest debutant in Argentina history.

Time is ticking away here for both sides. Chile need to equalize, and they've been threatening, or Argentina need need to kill the game off.

Always the man in focus.

Unfortunately, after the bright start, the game only has five combined shots on target. Quite the fizzle and fade.

Given Messi started on the bench, Cristian Romero wore the armband. But as soon as the Inter Miami man entered the game it was transferred.

It's Emi Martinez's turn to get in on the action now. He makes a save on an attempt from Lucas Cepeda to keep things in Argentina's favour.

Both sides have made some major substitutions now.

Arturo Vidal left the pitch at the beginning of the second half for Chile, while Lionel Messi is officially on with 30 minutes to go.

More reaction from Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti after a 0-0 draw against Ecuador earlier tonight: "I don't want to make excuses, but the field... wasn't that easy to play."

Here he comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you watched the European action from earlier in the day, you would've seen Spain edge France 5-4 in the Nations League semi-finals.

Do you agree with the take below?

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY 46': Chile 0-1 Argentina

The ball is rolling on the pitch again at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos. Can Chile crawl their way back into this?

Awkward...

And Uruguay fans will be thinking of this trio in their dreams.

Elsewhere, Vinicius Junior comes to the defence is his former-club-now-turned-country manager.

HALF-TIME: Chile 0-1 Argentina

We're at the midway point now. The visitors dominated in shots (six to two) and possession (76%).

Goalkeeper Brayan Cortés has been kept busy, but hasn't had to pick the ball out of his net a second time.

Speaking of Vidal, he's gone and received the first yellow card of the night.

Chile must try and swing possession in their favour tonight. Only 22% of the ball against the reigning champions won't do them any favours.

We always knew this match would be entertaining. Here's Arturo Vidal gesturing toward Rodrigo De Paul to move forward.

How clutch has Alvarez been wearing blue and white?

Like father, like son.

Special shoutout to Thiago Almada with the perfectly weighted pass, too.

GOAL 16': Chile 0-1 Argentina

And with their first shot on target in the game, the reigning World Cup champions strike.

Julian Alvarez is the scorer after slipping past two defenders and chipping the ball home.

Well, what could this mean???

For those of you who watched the early matches, let us know what you thought of the action in the comments below.

Some more history for ya. Chile only has one victory against Argentina in 17 World Cup qualifying matches. Could that change tonight?

That'll be a mixed bag of emotions for Ancelotti...

KICK-OFF: Chile 0-0 Argentina

The late show sees Argentina travel to face Chile with one Lionel Messi available off the bench. Buckle up.

The good news is, we're back with more!

FULL-TIME: Ecuador 0-0 Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti's managerial debut ends as a snoozefest, with Ecuador the happier of the two as they inch closer to the 2026 World Cup.

In other news, Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro remains undefeated in nine matches. That's five wins and four draws now.

Will we see some late drama between Ecuador and Brazil? Or will the corner flag be the only entertainment?

FULL-TIME: Paraguay 2-0 Uruguay

And that's that from the Estadio Defensores del Chaco. Paraguay with a massive result at home and move up into third.

Uruguay will need to return to the drawing board after 73%, but only one shot on target. Marcelo Bielsa and his fifth-placed team will feel the pressure.

And Enciso's moment was one of history! The goal is Paraguay's 1000th ever. He now has three goals in four games, too.

GOAL 81': Paraguay 2-0 Uruguay (Penalty)

Another slip up from the visitors has allowed hosts Paraguay to double their lead. This time it's Julio Enciso who slots home the penalty late in the game.

Now we have some unusual scenes in Ecuador. But it's not a goal!

A corner flag was required to be replaced mid-match. However, after the linesmen and the ballboy failed to twist the pole back into the ground, Brazil defender Alexsandro raced over and fixed it himself.

Meanwhile, after almost 70 minutes of action, Uruguay are still without a shot on target. They trail 1-0 to Paraguay away.

Vinicius Junior is trying to make a difference for his side.

The Real Madrid man danced to the byline and teed up Richarlison, but his team-mate couldn't connect cleanly.

Ecuador appear to be the side pushing for an opener against Brazil. Last-ditch blocks are saving the visitors.

The man in place of Messi tonight for Argentina is Nico Paz. After a stellar showing with Como in Serie A, the 2-year-old midfielder earns a chance to make a difference on the pitch from the start.

Meanwhile, Chile will hope the experience of Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez can help stun the reigning World Cup champions. Here's their starting line up.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY 46': Paraguay 1-0 Uruguay | Ecuador 0-0 Brazil

The early games are back in action now! Who will find the next goal? Let us know in the comments below.

Official news from Argentina, Lionel Messi is on the bench for tonight's clash against Chile.

Some stats for Uruguay to quickly forget.

A reminder of what football's best magician can do.

HALF-TIME: Ecuador 0-0 Brazil

Very little to report on regarding the action in Ecuador. The hosts have more shots (three to two) but it's visitors Brazil with barely more possession (51%). Talk about a tight content.

HALF-TIME: Paraguay 1-0 Uruguay

The scoreline at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco stays as such. Big second 45 minutes still to come!

Oh, Paraguay! The hosts thought they had doubled their lead via Omar Alderete but his effort was ruled offside.

In addition to missing Valverde and Bentancur, Uruguay are without the goalscoring talents of Darwin Nunez tonight.

He currently sits tied for second in most goals this qualifying campaign so far (five). Messi and Luis Diaz of Colombia sit above (six each).

Some early photos trickling in of one Lionel Messi.

It's still a battle between Ecuador and Brazil. Who do you have opening the scoring? Let us know in the comments below.

Perhaps Brazil are missing the talents of Raphinha. The Barcelona star is unavailable through suspension.

You don't need to know Spanish to know these photos scream PASSION!

Some early stats for you after Paraguay's shock lead over Uruguay.

The goal was Galarza's first in the qualifiers. La Albirroja have scored four headed goals so far, second only to Colombia (six).

Taking a quick look at the Estadio Monumental and nothing much to report just yet.

Neither Ecuador or Brazil with a shot after 20 minutes.

Nice digs.

A reminder that we will have Argentina's line up for you ahead of the drama against Chile. Check back here later!

GOAL 14': Paraguay 1-0 Uruguay

The first goal of the night comes at the hands (feet?) of Paraguay via Matias Galarza.

The 23-year-old midfielder from Club Atlético Talleres headed home at the back post following a poor clearance by Uruguay.

Some heartfelt content from the Ecuador team, who only a few days ago welcomed their European champions.

Willian Pacho won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, and Moises Caicedo lifted the Europa Conference League title with Chelsea.

KICK OFF!

Our early matches are underway. A reminder of the fixtures below...

Ecuador (2) vs. Brazil (4) and Paraguay (5) vs. Uruguay (3)

Elsewhere, we will see how Uruguay fare without the likes of Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur.

We'll have all the action for you tonight. Buckle up!

All eyes will be on Brazil tonight with new manager Carlo Ancelotti making his debut. He's opted for a few familiar names to start in his first lineup.

A reminder of the standings so far. A gripping storyline is coming out of Ecuador, who sit second despite receiving a three-point deduction.

World Cup holders Argentina are already confirmed to attend the 2026 tournament.

Good evening, football fans! Welcome back to another round of World Cup qualifying with a handful of South American giants in action.

Ecuador host Brazil, Paraguay face Uruguay and Argentina travel to Chile for the late show. Who do you have winning tonight? Let us know in the comments below.