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After the latest round of matches, this is what the South American edition of the FIFA 2018 World Cup looks like after 16 games apiece:
1. BRAZIL - 37 POINTS
The only team to have earned qualification already to Russia; they can afford to lose the remaining two and will still finish top. An astounding show of dominance in a brilliantly tough competition
This round: Brazil 1-1 Colombia
Next two matches will be against Bolivia and Chile (!)
2. URUGUAY - 27 POINTS
Uruguay regained their second place after a typically hard-fought win over a tough, unlucky, Paraguay - the first of Uruguay's goals was a deflection, while the second was an own goal.
This round: Uruguay 2-1 Paraguay
Next two matches will be against Venezuela and Bolivia
3. COLOMBIA - 26 POINTS
Radamel Falcao's first goal of this qualification campaign was enough to earn Los Cofeteros a point against rampant Brazil... and the Colombians barely have their neck above the swarm that lies below them
This round: Brazil 1-1 Colombia
Next two matches will be against Paraguay (!) and Peru (!!)
4. PERU - 24 POINTS
Lead Argentina thanks to a superior goal scored record (25 vs 16) and sit in the final automatic qualification position. The Peruvians have a real shot at making it to Russia and will be giving it their all come October
This round: Peru 2-1 Ecuador
Next two matches will be against Argentina (!!) and Colombia
5. ARGENTINA - 24 points
The only team to have scored less than Argentina? Bolivia! And the Andeans won their home leg against Los Albicelste 2-0. Make of that what you will.
If things remain this way, Argentina will go into a playoff for a spot in the World Cup against New Zealand. If they continue playing like this, even that could seem a tough, tough, test.
This round: Argentina 1-1 Venezuela
Next two matches will be against Peru at home (!!) and Ecuador away (!!)
6. CHILE - 23 points
The Champions of South America face the very real threat of not representing their continent in the biggest football tournament on the planet. This is arguably Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Claudio Bravo, and the rest of the Chilean golden generation's chance to impress at the World Cup stage, and they'll need a miracle to happen in October if they are to do that
This round: Bolivia 1-0
Next two matches will be against Ecuador (!) and Brazil (!!)
7. PARAGUAY - 21 points
The Paraguayan's were desperately unlucky not to take any points of Uruguay, but that's how tough CONMEBOL is... one slip up, and the whole dream can crash and burn.
This round: Uruguay 2-1 Paraguay
Next two matches will be against Colombia (!) and Venezuela
8. ECUADOR - 20 points
The Ecuador's lost out in a high-voltage clash with Peru, but they are still mathematically within touching distance of a glorious top five finish. This is football, and the people of Ecuador will believe that anything can well and truly happen
This round: Peru 2-1 Ecuador
Next two matches will be against Chile (!!) and Argentina (!!!)
9. BOLIVIA - 13 points
The high-altitude kings are down and out of the race for qualification, but as they proved this week, they are more than capable of influencing the fate of the teams that come up against them
This round: Bolivia 1-0 Chile
Next two matches will be against Brazil and Uruguay
10. VENEZUELA - 8 points
<insert what was written for Bolivia> The young Venezuelans of this new-look outfit have been magnificent as they attempt to bring back some pride to an abysmal campaign.
This round: Argentina 1-1 Venezuela
Next two matches will be against Uruguay and Paraguay
As it stands, anyone from nos. 2 through to 8 can join Brazil on their flight to Russia in 2018 - if this last match day proved anything it is that just about anything is possible in CONMEBOL, and it will be a fool who thinks that this group is decided.
Argentina will qualify for a playoff vs Oceania's New Zealand if things remain this way (not a guaranteed shindig, by any means) and they will have to win that to make sure Lionel Messi graces Russia with his twinkling feet (also not as guaranteed a result as most people would think)
The next round of matches will occur between the 5th and the 10th of October - and just about anything can happen in this brilliantly exciting South American World Cup Qualifying campaign!
