In a dramatic night of South American World Cup 2026 qualifiers, Uruguay secured a sensational 3-2 victory over Colombia with a last-gasp goal deep into stoppage time. Meanwhile, in a clash of the strugglers, Peru and Chile played out a tense 0-0 draw that did little to boost either side’s qualification hopes.
Uruguay Triumphs Over Colombia with a 101st-Minute Winner
Montevideo was the stage for one of the most thrilling matches of the qualifiers, as Uruguay clinched a 3-2 win over Colombia with an astonishing goal in the 101st minute by Manuel Ugarte. The victory saw Uruguay catch up to Colombia in the standings, with both teams now sitting on 19 points, trailing leaders Argentina by just three points.
The game was filled with twists and turns, starting with Colombia taking the lead in the first half. Juan Fernando Quintero opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a brilliantly struck free-kick from a wide angle, catching Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet off guard.
However, Marcelo Bielsa’s men came roaring back in the second half. Uruguay equalized in the 57th minute when a cross from Saracchi deflected twice, with the final touch coming off Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez for an own goal. Just minutes later, Agustin Aguirre found the net with a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner, completing a quick turnaround for the Celeste.
The drama didn’t end there. Colombia thought they had salvaged a point when substitute Jhon Jader Durán Gomez, who had only been on the pitch for 14 minutes, smashed home an equalizer in the 96th minute after a chaotic scramble in Uruguay’s penalty area.
But Uruguay wasn’t finished. In the dying moments of the match, with the clock ticking past the 100th minute, Facundo Pellistri delivered a knee-height pass to Ugarte, who instinctively volleyed the ball into the net, sending the packed Estadio Centenario into raptures. The win sees Uruguay jump to second place alongside Colombia, setting up a tight race in the final stretch of the qualifiers.
Peru and Chile Fail to Find the Net in a Stalemate
In stark contrast to the action-packed game in Montevideo, Peru and Chile played out a goalless draw that leaves both teams languishing near the bottom of the standings. Peru remains in ninth place with 7 points, while Chile sits at the bottom with 6 points, both far behind the seventh-place spot needed for a playoff berth.
Despite the lack of goals, the match in Lima was not without its share of drama and missed opportunities. The first half saw Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese come to the rescue, denying Chile’s Echeverria and preventing an own goal from Valdes Contreras. On the other end, Chilean goalkeeper Brayan Cortes was called into action to stop a powerful header from veteran striker Paolo Guerrero.
The best chance of the night fell to Alex Valera, who struck the post in the second half. Guerrero had a golden opportunity on the rebound but shockingly missed from close range with the goal at his mercy. The tension reached a climax in stoppage time when Peru was awarded a penalty, only for VAR to overturn the decision due to an offside call.
The goalless draw leaves both sides frustrated, as they failed to make up ground in the race for a potential playoff spot. With only a few matches left, both Peru and Chile will need a dramatic turnaround in their remaining fixtures if they hope to stay in contention for World Cup qualification.
The Road to the World Cup
With only a handful of matches remaining in the South American qualifiers, the race for the 2026 World Cup is heating up. Argentina leads the standings, but Uruguay and Colombia are hot on their heels. Meanwhile, teams like Peru and Chile face an uphill battle to even reach the playoff spots.
The next rounds of qualifiers promise to deliver more drama, as every point counts in the fiercely competitive South American group.
