FIFA World Cup Brasil 2014
Afp, Montevideo
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez (top) is ecstatic after scoring the opening goal against Peru during their 2014 World Cup qualifier in Lima on Friday. Photo: AFP
Liverpool star Luis Suarez scored twice to give Uruguay a vital victory over Peru in South America’s World Cup qualifying race on Friday as Colombia edged ever closer to next year’s finals in Brazil.
Suarez, who has not played for Liverpool this year as he completes a suspension for biting picked up last season, struck a first-half penalty before curling home a long-range effort as Uruguay beat Peru 2-1 in Lima.
Jefferson Farfan pulled a late goal back for Peru to set up a nervous finish but Uruguay held on for a win which leaves them firmly on course to secure at least a play-off spot from South America’s nine-team qualifying league.
The Uruguayans are in fifth place following the victory, three points clear of sixth-placed Venezuela having played one game less.
Earlier Friday, second-placed Colombia defeated Ecuador 1-0 in Barranquilla to move within touching distance of a ticket to Brazil.
A chaotic afternoon in the Colombian port city saw kick-off delayed for 90 minutes after a tropical monsoon deluged the Estadio Metropolitano.
The game was also disrupted by a floodlight failure at the break which delayed the start of the second half. Play was further held up for several minutes after Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina suffered a nasty head injury.
A first-half goal by AS Monaco striker James Rodriguez secured all three points for the Colombians, who are now guaranteed at least a play-off spot.
Ecuador, who were reduced to 10 men early in the game when Gabriel Achilier was dismissed, could have snatched an unlikely draw if captain Walter Ayovi had not missed a second-half penalty.
The complexion of the game changed decisively on the half-hour mark when Ecuador were reduced to 10 men, Achilier sent off for bringing down Colombia’s Teofilo Gutierrez as he sprinted clear on goal.
The dismissal energised the Colombians and within a minute they had taken the lead through Monaco youngster Rodriguez.
Monaco team-mate Radamel Falcao — named in the starting line-up after recovering from an ankle injury — unleashed a ferocious long-range effort which Ecuador’s stand-in keeper Maximo Banguera could only parry away.
The rebound fell kindly to Rodriguez who rifled home an angled low shot to put Colombia 1-0 up heading into the half-time break.
Suarez, who has not played for Liverpool this year as he completes a suspension for biting picked up last season, struck a first-half penalty before curling home a long-range effort as Uruguay beat Peru 2-1 in Lima.
Jefferson Farfan pulled a late goal back for Peru to set up a nervous finish but Uruguay held on for a win which leaves them firmly on course to secure at least a play-off spot from South America’s nine-team qualifying league.
The Uruguayans are in fifth place following the victory, three points clear of sixth-placed Venezuela having played one game less.
Earlier Friday, second-placed Colombia defeated Ecuador 1-0 in Barranquilla to move within touching distance of a ticket to Brazil.
A chaotic afternoon in the Colombian port city saw kick-off delayed for 90 minutes after a tropical monsoon deluged the Estadio Metropolitano.
The game was also disrupted by a floodlight failure at the break which delayed the start of the second half. Play was further held up for several minutes after Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina suffered a nasty head injury.
A first-half goal by AS Monaco striker James Rodriguez secured all three points for the Colombians, who are now guaranteed at least a play-off spot.
Ecuador, who were reduced to 10 men early in the game when Gabriel Achilier was dismissed, could have snatched an unlikely draw if captain Walter Ayovi had not missed a second-half penalty.
The complexion of the game changed decisively on the half-hour mark when Ecuador were reduced to 10 men, Achilier sent off for bringing down Colombia’s Teofilo Gutierrez as he sprinted clear on goal.
The dismissal energised the Colombians and within a minute they had taken the lead through Monaco youngster Rodriguez.
Monaco team-mate Radamel Falcao — named in the starting line-up after recovering from an ankle injury — unleashed a ferocious long-range effort which Ecuador’s stand-in keeper Maximo Banguera could only parry away.
The rebound fell kindly to Rodriguez who rifled home an angled low shot to put Colombia 1-0 up heading into the half-time break.
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