Brazil, Venezuela pick up wins

A few days after securing a berth in the World Cup, Brazil kept up their pace with a 4-2 win over Chile on Wednesday. Venezuela also kept up their hopes with a big 3-1 win over Peru.

Brazil 4-2 Chile

Chile could have secured a spot in the World Cup with a win in Salvador, but Villarreal striker Nilmar had something to say about that when he put the home side in front on 31 minutes. Júlio Baptista then followed that up with another for Brazil nine minutes later, but Humberto Suazo’s penalty on the stroke of halftime kept Chile in it.

Chile pulled level in the 52nd minute as Suazo got his second just moments after Filipe Melo was sent off, but the 10-man Brazilians showed their resolve as Nilmar stole the show, scoring in the 73rd and 76th minutes to complete a hat-trick and make Chile wait to qualify.

Venezuela 3-1 Peru

Venezuela moved to within one point of fifth-placed Argentina as they cruised past bottom side Peru.

The home side opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Nicolás Fedor found the back of the net, but Venezuela gifted Peru an equalizer nine minutes later when Juan Fuenmayor put into his own net.

Venezuela did not panic, however, and they retook the lead in the 52nd minute when Fedor notched his second of the match, and they sealed the points with 20 minutes to go when Ronald Vargas made it 3-1.