Ecuador and Uruguay clinch places at World Cup finals in Qatar

Ecuador and Uruguay have secured their spots at the World Cup in Qatar, joining Brazil and Argentina from South America.

The third-place Ecuadorians lost 3-1 in Paraguay on Thursday, but they achieved one of the four direct spots after Uruguay, in fourth position, beat Peru 1-0 in Montevideo, a result that also allowed them to book their flights to Qatar. Ecuador and Uruguay reached 25 points on the table and can no longer be overtaken by other teams. Brazil and Argentina had earlier secured two of the region’s direct spots.

Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored the goal that took both his team and Ecuador to the finals in the 42nd minute from close range in a hard-fought match.

It was very different in Ciudad del Este, where Ecuador were no match for Paraguay. Robert Morales opened the scoring in the ninth minute, the Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié scored an own goal from long range seconds before the half-time whistle and Miguel Almirón added a third in the 54th minute. Jordy Caicedo scored for Ecuador from the spot in the 85th minute.

The fifth position, which qualifies for an international playoff against an Asian team, is still up for grabs. Peru, with 21 points, can get it by beating Paraguay at home on Tuesday. Colombia, with 20 after their 3-0 win against Bolivia, needs to beat Venezuela and cheer against the Peruvians.

Chile, with 19 points, will have to overcome Uruguay in Santiago and hope other results go their way. La Roja will not be very confident about that result after being crushed by Brazil 4-0 at the Maracanã Stadium.

Colombia managed to stay alive with their first goals in almost 700 minutes in South American qualifiers. They beat Bolivia with goals by Luis Díaz in the 39th minute, Miguel Borja