Venezuela hosted Chile in a match so hotly anticipated that there were riots outside the stadium in Puerto La Cruz when the tickets sold out a few days before the game. Hosts Venezuela were looking to win and take first place in CONMEBOL qualifying; Chile needed a win to do the same. Venezuela came out with more offensive pizzazz than did Chile, but a headed goal off a free kick was correctly ruled back for offside. With Venezuela missing three starting midfielders, their only two routes of attack were through build up plays on the left side of the pitch through left winger Juan Arango (pictured, burgundy #18) and from long balls launched over the top to strikers Salomon Rondon (pictured, chesting ball) and Miku Fedor. Chile's defense never had to bother with defending their left side of the pitch, so the lack of offensive creativity hurt the home side. The first half ended 0-0.
As the match remained scoreless, Chile became more and more confident. Humberto Suazo connected with a shot that banged the Venezuelan goalpost six minutes into the half. The very next minute, Venezuela goalkeeper Renny Vega was forced into making a good save. With less than a quarter hour to play and the hosts La Vinotinto out of ideas, Chile went into the ascendancy. A warning shot was fired by Marcelo Diaz, but his free kick was pushed away by Vega. However, with five minutes left, Matias Fernandez ran up the right side of the penalty box and took a shot that was deflected in by Grenddy Perozo, finally giving Chile their 1-0 lead they so deserved. In stoppage time, a brilliant one-two-one-two-one passing combination from Charles Aranguiz (pictured, white #20) to Sebastian Pinto led to Aranguiz scoring the insurance goal. Chile win 2-0 to take over first place in CONMEBOL after Matchday Six.
Chile 12 pts +1
Argentina 10 pts +7
Uruguay 8 pts +6
Venezuela 8 pts -2
Colombia 7 pts +1
Ecuador 6 pts -1
Bolivia 4 pts -4
Paraguay 4 pts -4
Peru 3 pts -3
Goals
Chile
Matias Fernandez 85
Charles Aranguiz 90+1
Match Reports:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/soccer/chile-defeats-venezuela-2-0-on-late-goals-to-take-lead-in-south-american-world-cup-qualifying-158326635.html
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naoHsty82rE&feature=relmfu
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