CONMEBOL qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ resumed on Thursday with the first day of matchday seven action, highlighted by reigning world champions Argentina topping Chile 3-0 thanks to second half strikes from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala.

Meanwhile, Bolivia delivered an impressive home performance in a 4-0 triumph over Venezuela with the goals coming from Ramiro Vaca, Carmelo Algaranaz, Miguel Terceros and Enzo Monteiro.

Argentina have now won six and drawn another of their last six World Cup qualifying matches against Chile, while Bolivia have ten wins from their last 11 home qualifiers against the Vinotinto.

Argentina 3-0 Chile
Argentina extended their cushion atop the qualifying table with a comfortable victory against neighbours Chile at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

It was a cagey first 45 minutes between the two sides, with little room to operate in the final third. Argentina had the best chance midway through the half from a corner kick, with Nicolas Gonzalez’s free header saved by Chile goalkeeper Gabriel Arias.

Meanwhile it took Chile until first half stoppage time to give the hosts a scare, as Matias Catalan steered a header that smacked off the post and flew wide.

Argentina started the second half with a purpose and broke the deadlock in slick fashion when a Lautaro Martinez dummy completely froze the Chilean defence, allowing Mac Allister to stroke home Alvarez’s cross for a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute.

The home side were not about to settle for a one-goal lead and kept their foot on the pedal. They would be handsomely rewarded late on in the 84th minute when they won the ball back deep in the Chilean half and Alvarez powered a shot into the top left corner for a 2-0 lead.

Dybala then put a bow on the celebratory night with a left-footed laser in second half stoppage time to complete the 3-0 win.

Bolivia 4-0 Venezuela
Bolivia reignited their World Cup hopes with a crucial three points at home against visiting Venezuela. The home side could not have asked for a better start, as they grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute courtesy of Vaca, who launched a right-footed rocket from well outside the area that went screaming into the top left corner.

Bolivia had the momentum and grabbed a second right before half-time via the penalty spot. Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu pushed Bolivia forward Algaranaz from behind in the area during a corner kick, resulting in a spot kick that Algaranaz coolly tucked away for a 2-0 advantage.

If Venezuela had any thoughts of turning things around to start the second stanza, Bolivia put those to bed by extending their lead through Terceros. Just 40 seconds after the restart, the forward timed his run to latch onto an inch-perfect cross at the back post, easily beating Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo.

Monteiro then capped the festivities in the 89th minute by stabbing home a cross from the left to seal all three points for the home side.