Agencies
Rio de Janeiro
Argentina and Brazil, without injured stars Lionel Messi and Neymar, both lost in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying.
While world champions Argentina still top South American qualifying for the 2026 tournament despite their 2-1 defeat against Colombia, record winners Brazil are in crisis after their 1-0 loss in Paraguay.
Brazil have suffered four defeats in five World Cup qualifying matches and sit fifth.
The top six nations in the 10-team group qualify for the expanded finals in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The seventh-placed team must take part in international play-offs.
"We don’t have great confidence at the moment,” said Brazil defender Marquinhos. "We’re trying our best, but there are a lot of changes in our game at the moment.”
Despite the absence of Neymar, Brazil’s attack still boasted Real Madrid trio Vinicius Júnior, Rodrygo and Endrick, but it was not enough against a spirited Paraguay who sit seventh.
Argentina were ultimately beaten by the class of the resurgent James Rodríguez. The 33-year-old set up the opening goal for Yerson Mosquera in the 25th minute before netting a penalty for the hosts after Nicolas Gonzalez levelled.
"It’s a great win for us against Argentina, who have won everything recently,” said Rodríguez, whose side lost the Copa America final to Argentina in July.
Colombia are second in the table and the only undefeated team in South American World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, amid heavy rain in Venezuela, the hosts fought to a 0-0 draw against Uruguay in which the Vinotinto were left to rue missed chances throughout.
Ecuador overcame a resolute Peru defence to collect three points in a 1-0 home victory that lifts them to fourth in the table with 11 points. The visitors remain rooted to the bottom on three points.
Ecuador are now unbeaten in their last ten qualifying matches at home and have kept seven clean sheets in their last ten home qualifiers.