CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying wrap: Uruguay stay top as Argentina falter

Luis Suarez starred as Uruguay stayed top in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying with a win over Chile on Friday, while Bolivia held Argentina.

The Liverpool forward netted four times – twice in each half – as Oscar Tabarez’s side romped to a 4-0 win over a weakened Chile in Montevideo.

On Wednesday, Chile coach Claudio Borghi sent home Arturo Vidal, Jorge Valdivia, Jean Beausejour, Gonzalo Jara and Carlos Carmona for missing curfew, and their absences were felt as Suarez ran riot.

After both sides had several chances, Suarez put Uruguay ahead when he found the bottom corner with a well-placed effort from the edge of the area.

Suarez doubled their advantage two minutes later when, after Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo fumbled at the edge of his area, he outjumped defender Waldo Ponce to force the ball home.

Suarez headed in a Martin Caceres cross with just over 20 minutes to go to complete his hat-trick, before he volleyed in a fourth.

Meanwhile, Argentina had to come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw and avoid a first-ever defeat at home to Bolivia.

Substitute forward Ezequiel Lavezzi cancelled out Marcelo Moreno’s opener barely a minute after coming on to keep Alejandro Sabella’s men second in the standings.

Moreno had put the visitors ahead just four minutes earlier, capitalising on an error from defender Martin Demichelis.

Elsewhere, Paraguay moved into third with their first win of the qualifying campaign, a 2-1 victory over Ecuador.

Cristian Riveros tapped in after being left unmarked at a set piece, before Dario Veron doubled their advantage with a header from a corner.

Winger Joao Rojas headed in Antonio Valencia’s cross in stoppage time, but it was no more than a late consolation for Ecuador.

In the other game, Colombia and Venezuela played out a 1-1 draw as Frank Feltscher cancelled out Fredy Guarin’s 30-yard screamer.