Brazil and Argentina were held to draws on Wednesday and Chile climbed to fourth place in the standings in the latest South American qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
Brazil were booed off the pitch after being held to a scoreless home draw by 10-man Bolivia, while Argentina conceded an equalizer in the final seconds to draw 1-1 in Peru.
Chile crushed Colombia 4-0 while Uruguay were held 0-0 at home by Ecuador.
PHOTO: AFP
Wednesday’s results left Brazil, Argentina and Chile all on 13 points, behind leaders Paraguay on 17.
Uruguay are fifth on 12 points, two ahead of Colombia with Ecuador a point further back.
Peru and Bolivia’s impressive draws on Wednesday were not enough to lift them from second and third bottom of the standings ahead of Venezuela in last place.
Disappointed with Brazil’s lackluster play, fans jeered the team throughout the match.
Despite playing with Ronaldinho, Sevilla’s Luis Fabiano and new Manchester City signing Robinho in attack, Brazil rarely threatened.
Bolivia relied solely on counterattacks and surprisingly had a couple of good chances.
Brazil failed to improve even after Bolivia defender Ignacio Garcia was harshly sent off in the 57th minute.
Peru scored in stoppage time to secure a dramatic 1-1 home draw against Argentina, extending the visitors’ winless streak in qualifying to five games.
Peru scored in the final seconds of the match as Juan Vargas charged up the left wing and delivered a cross to striker Johan Fano, who directed the ball past Argentina’s goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.
Esteban Cambiasso had put Argentina ahead in the 82nd minute, converting a cross from Fernando Gago.
Chile’s big win came off a 3-0 drubbing from Brazil on Sunday.
The Chileans scored twice in each half with defender Gonzalo Jara notching the first goal in the 25th minute and striker Humberto Suazo making it 2-0 in the 38th.
Defender Ismael Fuentes knocked in a rebound for the third after a corner by Matias Fernandez, who completed the scoring by netting the fourth.
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