Colombia were at home with a chance to clinch their qualification in Barranquilla. Chile were none too keen on allowing such a celebration to occur while they were in the building unless it was for their own qualification. Chile were the team that were the most effective from the outset. Colombia refused to apply high pressure, even to Chilean goal kicks, so Chile's counter attacks were allowed to build into true chances quite often. The pressure broke the Cafeteros' backline soon enough as goalkeeper David Ospina brought down Eduardo Vargas in the box on a deep run off a through ball, giving Chile a penalty chance. They converted for 1-0. Vargas was the recipient off a quick outlet pass off a Colombian turnover at midfield. With only two defenders back, the three-man counter for Chile was favored to score. Vargas played a bouncing ball into the box between the two defenders, Jorge Valdivia added a touch, and Alexis Sanchez (pictured, red) provided the finishing touch to make it 2-0 in favor of the visitors. A solo burst down the right for Sanchez gave the Chileans another great opportunity, but Valdivia fluffed his attempt straight to Ospina. The game was wide open by this point, and Teofilo Gutierrez broke a counter attack for Colombia. Gutierrez drew Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo off his line, but as the ball bounced over Bravo awaiting a finishing touch, Marcos Gonzalez appeared to clear it away. Off a Valdivia corner kick, Sanchez was left wide open for a massive diving header that Ospina somehow kept out. However, Gonzalez won the rebound header and nodded into the path of Sanchez for a tap-in goal that put Chile ahead 3-0 and all but into the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals. Mauricio Isla had a chance to make it 4-0 off a Sanchez pass, but he delayed his shot and was eventually stuffed by the block of Mario Yepes. In stoppage time, Bravo made a diving save on a mid-range shot from Guillermo Cuadrado. Chile went into the break ahead 3-0.
A flicked-on header by Gutierrez led to a catch for Bravo as he fell to his side. Chile were surprisingly aggressive with a big lead early in the second half, and were nearly made to pay on a couple Colombian counterattacks. Chile's Carlos Carmona received his second yellow card in as many minutes in minute 66, throwing Colombia a lifeline with which to overcome the 3-0 deficit. On the ensuing free kick, Gutierrez popped the header off the post, but Pablo Armero was able to dispossess Jose Rojas inside the box. Armero slotted a ball to Gutierrez who finally converted to give Colombia their first goal. James Rodriguez then drew a penalty kick for Colombia that they converted with fifteen minutes left to play to make it 3-2 in favor of Chile. Bravo made a poor decision to dive with his hands outstretched at Rodriguez as Rodriguez was driving the ball away from goal. Bravo missed the ball and committed a foul that gave Colombia their second penalty chance in ten minutes. They converted to knot the score at three goals apiece. Radamel Falcao took off his shirt to celebrate the occasion and will be suspended for Colombia's final match. However, he will not care because the spectacular 3-3 draw means Colombia have qualified for Brasil 2014 whereas Chile will need to collect points at home against Ecuador on Tuesday in order to advance.
Goals
Chile
Arturo Vidal 19 PK
Alexis Sanchez 22, 29
Colombia
Teofilo Gutierrez 69
Radamel Falcao 75 PK, 84 PK
Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4829092/chile-colombia-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en/match/97332/colombia-vs-chile/report?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/colombia-come-from-3-0-behind-to-draw-with-chile-and-qualify-for-2014-brazil-world-cup/story-e6frf423-1226738796437
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw9eU2pAcY0
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa_QHDXu0S4
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