Chile, Ecuador book tickets to World Cup

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 16 (IANS) Chile and Ecuador confirmed their places at next year’s World Cup while Uruguay were condemned to a fourth consecutive playoff battle following the final round of South American qualifiers.

In Santiago Tuesday, Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez and Cardiff City midfielder Gary Medel struck first-half goals for Chile in their their 1-2 defeat of Ecuador, whose only goal came from Felipe Caicedo just after the hour, reports Xinhua.

Needing a big win to overtake Ecuador on goal difference, Uruguay showed their attacking intent with a 3-2 victory over Argentina in Montevideo.

Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez cancelled out Cristian Rodriguez’s opener before Liverpool striker Luis Suarez netted from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute.

Rodriguez equalised for the visitors on the stroke of halftime but Edinson Cavani scored the winner for Uruguay after being set up by Suarez.

In Asuncion, a Mario Yepes double steered 10-man Colombia to a 2-1 victory over Paraguay, whose goal came via Jorge Rojas.

The visitors were forced to play a man down for more than an hour after Fredy Guarin was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 32nd minute.

Uruguay must beat Jordan in next month’s playoff over two legs to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.

The Celeste advanced to football’s showpiece event via the playoffs with victories over Australia in 2001 and Costa Rica in 2009.

In 2005 the team was defeated by Australia in a penalty shootout following the second leg in Sydney.