Argentina and Venezuela were the only two sides to celebrate on FIFA day. Here's a look back at the games to come.
Since Wednesday, international fixtures have been taking over football activity around the world. The FIFA matchday has various official competitions such as the qualifiers for the European Championship, the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations or the CONCACAF Nations League. But in South America there was no activity as such and the agenda was filled with friendlies.
With the qualifying process for the 2026 World Cup that will begin next September and the Copa America further away in time (to be held in 2024 in the United States), the different South American teams faced preparatory commitments with mixed results: there were eight goals scored, two unhappy debuts and there is still the Canarinha, Peru, plus the Chile-Paraguay game on Monday.
Argentina, the first to take to the field.
The World Champions played this Thursday and it was the first presentation after the feat achieved in Qatar against France. Being the only one on the continent to be local, they hosted a real party against Panama, which in turn was presented with an alternative team since it has official participation against Costa Rica (on Tuesday in San Jose).
Despite that, Lionel Scaloni's side struggled to score and only found the net through Thiago Almada in the 78th minute. Lionel Messi, in his 800th goal between club and country, increased the deficit with an exquisite free kick. It was 2-0 and a feast at the Monumental. On 28 March they will face Curaçao in Santiago del Estero.
Then, the fall of Ecuador.
Very early in the day of this Friday Ecuador had the presentation of his new coach Felix Sanchez Bas, but the Spanish tactician could not celebrate: it was 3-1 defeat at the hands of Australia in the CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
Ecuador and Australia will meet again.Ecuador and Australia will meet again.
Jackson Irvine, Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol scored for the Socceroos, while Felix Torres scored for La Tri, who suffered a serious injury to Jeremy Sarmiento: the Brighton striker fractured his fifth metatarsal. The curious thing is that the two teams will meet again on Tuesday, but in the city of Melbourne. Will there be a Tricolor rematch?
In Asia, two draws: Uruguay and Colombia
The Celeste, with Marcelo Broli as coach and without the historic Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani or Diego Godin, could not win at the New Japan National Stadium in Japan. Federico Valverde, under a torrential rain, gave the charrúas the lead at 38', but in the second half the Japanese, who had a great World Cup, imposed themselves on the game and through Takuma Nishimura they got the equaliser.on Tuesday Uruguay will play against South Korea in Seoul.
Valverde, now Uruguay's captain, headed La Celeste's 1-0 win over Japan.
It was Colombia who had a tough time against the Koreans. After just 10 minutes, the Colombians made a huge mistake at the start and Son Heung-Min took advantage. The Tottenham player scored again from a free kick, in an execution that went viral because of the position of two Asian players in front of the Colombian barrier.
Colombia equalised and deserved more...
Nestor Lorenzo ordered the pieces and the comeback was started by James Rodriguez after a pass from Valoyes. Later Jorge Carrascal scored his first goal in the senior team and the final parity 2-2 in the friendly. Rafael Santos Borré had an agonising header hit the crossbar. In a few days, the Colombians will face Japan in Osaka.
Venezuela did celebrate.
The Vinotinto had some firsts and some joy. Fernando Batista together with Cufré took charge of the national team after the departure of Pekerman and the first was victory against the Arabs. In the 26th minute, Joseph Martínez received from Salomón Rondón and sent a first-time shot into the net. Shortly after, in the 33rd minute, the duo came together again: JM let the ball go through and the River striker put it into the corner for a 2-0 lead.
Saudi Arabia pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to go through Salem Al Dawsari, who had put Argentina to the sword at the start of the last World Cup. The Venezuelans will now go on to play Uzbekistan.
Bolivia lost away from La Paz
La Verde travelled 12,583 kilometres to Saudi Arabia to face Uzbekistan in Gustavo Costas' debut and the result was bad: a 1-0 defeat and José Segredo sent off in the closing stages. Despite the presence of Marcelo Martins, Bolivia struggled to convert and the Asians held out well against Shomurodov (36'). On 28 March, the Bolivians take on the Arabs.
Source image: Ole.