CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying is always a challenge, and this World Cup cycle is no different.
With six teams currently separated by a mere five points under leaders Brazil, everything is left to play for as Round 14 hits South America.
[ MORE: Messi could face suspension from CONMEBOL ]
Hereโs a look at whatโs on the docket for Tuesday:
Bolivia vs. Argentina โ 4 p.m. EDT
It wasnโt pretty at all, but La Albiceleste picked up a crucial three points against Chile, which could produce a morale lift for Argentina given their past struggles against the reigning Copa America holders.
Lionel Messiโs actions from the match could harm the Albiceleste though, with the Barcelona man reportedly facing sanctions from CONMEBOL for verbally abusing a linesman.
Meanwhile, Bolivia is in desperate need of a win in La Paz, and anything but three points could potentially end La Verdeโs hopes of reaching Russia 2018.
Ecuador vs. Colombia โ 5 p.m. EDT
It took a long time for Colombia to crack the Bolivia backline on Thursday but a late run from Juan Cuadrado helped set up the eventual winner from James Rodriguez, and kept Los Cafeteros in the top four.
Ecuador didnโt have the same fortunes though four days ago after falling to a very game Paraguay side. La Tricolor have gone winless in three of its last four World Cup qualifiers, leavingย Gustavo Quinteros side with little margin of error against the Colombians.
Chile vs. Venezuelaย โ 6 p.m. EDT
Chileโs qualifying struggles continued on Thursday after falling to La Albiceleste in a closely-contested match. Arturo Vidalโs six goals leave the Bayern Munich midfielder third in all of CONMEBOL this campaign, but the Chileans still sit on the outside looking in at the moment and in sixth place.
Venezuela is teetering on the edge of elimination, and a loss against Chile would all but seal their fate of missing out the World Cup. After reaching the quarterfinals at last summerโs Copa America Centenario, La Vinotinto have failed to replicate that form this qualifying campaign with just one win to show.
Top scorer Josef Martinez is no longer with Venezuela after suffering an injury in Thursdayโs 2-2 draw against Peru, creating a major void in the sideโs attack.
Brazil vs. Paraguayย โ 8:45 p.m. EDT
The Selecao continue to score at a lightning pace this qualifying campaign with 32 goals in the first 13 rounds of play.ย Despite conceding early to Uruguay on Thursday, Brazil responded emphatically with four goals, and most notably Paulinhoโs hat-trick.
Elsewhere, Paraguay kept itself within striking distance of the top five after its 2-1 win over Ecuador. The side is just two points behind fifth place Ecuador.
Peru vs. Uruguay โ 10:15 p.m. EDT
Los Incas have not reached a World Cup since 1982, and although the team is just five points behind fifth, they need to pick up victories. Ricardo Gareca will be pleased with his sideโs resiliency against Venezuela on Thursday, but more draws simply wonโt do with only four rounds remaining after Tuesday.
Uruguay still sits in a solid second position after Thursdayโs slip up against Brazil but another defeat could be potentially disastrous for La Celeste, who are just three points above sixth place Chile. However, Edinson Cavaniโs nine goals leads all of CONMEBOL and Peru has allowed the third-most goals this campaign (22).
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