An already qualified Brazil brushed Chile aside – four goals to nil – to hand the latter’s qualification chances a major blow. Neymar put the Pentacampeones ahead in the 44th minute from the spot – a lead which Vinicius Jr doubled just two minutes later with his first senior international goal. 

The Paris Saint-Germain striker handed over the spot-kick duties to his teammate Philippe Coutinho in the 72nd minute, and the Aston Villa man repaid the favor by putting his side 3-0 up against a hapless Chile side. To make matters worse, Richarlison added a fourth in second-half stoppage time, leaving Chile to fend for their World Cup future against Colombia and Peru. 

Uruguay took on Peru in Montevideo, knowing that a win would make it mathematically impossible for their opponents to catch up to them in the qualifying race. Diego Alonso’s men had to be patient for an opening to present itself but took full advantage when it did. 

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored the only goal of the game in the 44th minute; the attacker converted the rebound after Jose Gimenez’s shot had rattled off the crossbar and landed kindly in his stride. 

Elsewhere, Ecuador lost to ten-man Paraguay but still qualified for the World Cup, thanks to Uruguay’s victory over Peru. However, Paraguay left it too late for themselves to rescue their campaign. Despite the win, they, along with Bolivia and Venezuela, are out of the running for a berth in Qatar. 

Meanwhile, Colombia kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over Bolivia. Liverpool’s Luis Diaz set the Tricolor on their way to a 3-0 win with the opening goal in the 39th minute, a lead which was compounded in the second half by Miguel Broja and Matheus Uribe. Reinaldo Rueda’s men are a point behind Peru – who occupy the playoff spot at present – and a point ahead of Chile, ahead of the final matchday.