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South American World Cup Qualifiers: The Battle for Brazil
The 2022 South American World Cup Qualifiers are heating up, with 10 teams vying for four spots in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The competition has been intense, with some big surprises and upsets already. Brazil, the five-time World Cup winners and heavy favorites, are currently sitting atop the standings, but Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Ecuador are close behind. In this article, we'll break down the current standings, provide insights into the teams' performances, and offer analysis on what's to come in the qualifying campaign.
When the qualifying campaign began in October 2020, the Brazilian national team was seen as a clear favorite to lift the trophy. Led by manager Tite, the team has been on a hot streak, having not crashed out of a major tournament in over five years. In their opening match against Bolivia, Brazil proved their dominance with a convincing 5-0 victory. "We have a very transparent and rigorous work routine," Tite said in a recent interview. "The truth is, we create our own fate, we are building our own destiny."
Brazil, however, has been neck and neck with Argentina and Uruguay in the group. The two teams have a fierce rivalry and are seen as potential title contenders. In their first match, Argentina came from behind to beat Chile 2-1. "We have to think more strategically and be more clinical in front of goal," said Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni after their first match win. "We have the potential to go far in this competition."
A big underdog in the qualifying campaign has been Ecuador. Last year, they finished second in the qualification tables, just behind Brazil. Now, they are currently in second place in the group, ahead of Colombia. Ecuador manager Gustavo Alfaro stated, "Our objective is to make history, not just participate." His team was recently boosted by the return of captain Enner Valencia, who is one of the top scorers in the qualifying campaign so far. "This is our moment, and we have to seize it," Valencia said. "We have the quality and talent to make it to the World Cup."
The South American World Cup Qualifiers have not been without their controversies, including several postponements and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition has been going on for over a year, with matches taking place in various countries due to travel restrictions. "These conditions are challenging, but we're working closely with FIFA and the national associations to ensure the competition can go ahead safely," the FIFA vice-president, FIFA General Secretary, told reporters in a press conference. "The safety of the players, coaches, and other stakeholders is a top priority."
As we move towards the final rounds of the qualifying campaign, several teams will look to solidify their spots in the World Cup. Brazil's biggest competition - Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay - will continue to battle it out in a push for automatic qualification or a spot in the intercontinental playoffs. By looking at the standings and current form, we can expect the final rounds to be intense and thrilling, with plenty surprises in store. Here are the top four teams by standings, sorted by points and goal difference (as of March 2022):
