International Football
OVERVIEW OF SOUTH AMERICA’S 10 TEAMS JOSTLING FOR QATAR 2022 TICKETS
ARGENTINA
The experienced Lionel Messi and Nicolas Otamendi head up a squad that contains a number of new faces brought in by coach Lionel Scaloni, who was given the job on a permanent basis in July.
Since Russia 2018, Scaloni has handed more prominent roles to the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Lucas Ocampo and Juan Foyth. His new-look side is beginning to acquire an identity of its own and should be among the main contenders.
BOLIVIA
Appointed in August, Bolivia’s Venezuelan coach, Cesar Farias, is looking to build a team around experienced campaigners such as Carlos Vaca, Alejandro Chumachero, Danny Vejarano, Jhasmani Campos, Juan Carlos Arce and Carlos Saucedo.
Youngsters Paul Arano and Henry Vaca are tipped to join them in what looks set to be a challenging campaign for the Bolivians.
BRAZIL
Since topping South America’s qualifying for Russia 2018, Tite has made changes at the back, with Danilo and Sandro coming in alongside the experienced Alisson Becker and Thiago Silva.
The coach is spoiled for choice in midfield and up front. Though Neymar is still the star act, Artur, Gabriel Jesus, Willian and Firmino, to name but a few, all have lots to offer. Brazil will once again be one of the teams to beat.
CHILE
Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda was handed the job in January and the spine of his side virtually picks itself: Claudio Bravo, Mauricio Isla, Gary Medel, Charles Aranguiz, Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas, all of them two-time Copa America winners.
Guillermo Maripan, Erick Pulgar, Alfonso Parot, Gabriel Arias and Oscar Opazo are four players who are beginning to break through and could be crucial to Chile’s bid to atone for their failure to make Russia 2018.
COLOMBIA
Colombia’s Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz, has plenty to work with. The likes of David Ospina, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sanchez, Wilmar Barrios, Juan Cuadrado, James Rodriguez, Juan Fernando Quintero and Radamel Falcao remain very much part of his plans, while newcomers Luis Muriel, Mateus Uribe and Duvan Zapata are all taking on more responsibility. Colombia are one of the favourites to qualify.
ECUADOR
Still without a coach since the departure of Hernan Gomez, La Tri are going through a major transition.
Spearheading the new generation are Jhegson Mendez, Xavier Arreaga, Jordan Sierra and Michel Estrada, with a clutch of South American U-20 Championship winners waiting in the wings, such as Diego Palacios, Gonzalo Plata and Jose Cifuentes.
Leading them on the road to Qatar 2022 will be Enner Valencia, Angel Mena and Renato Ibarra, though it remains to be seen who their coach will be.
PARAGUAY
Since taking on the job, Argentinian coach Eduardo Berizzo has been looking to fashion a team with a character of its own.
It is a side in which players such as Matias Rojas, Junior Alonso, Jorge Moreira, Miguel Almiron and Dario Lezcano have all established themselves after being brought in by Berizzo’s predecessor.
Together with brothers Oscar and Angel Romero, Gustavo Gomez and Derlis Gonzalez, they form the nucleus of a team that is aiming to take Paraguay back to the World Cup for the first time since South Africa 2010.
PERU
Ricardo Gareca achieved the seemingly impossible in the last qualifying competition and will be looking for his charges to kick on this time.
The structure of the side that took Peru to their first world finals in 36 years remains largely the same, with the likes of Paolo Guerrero, Pedro Gallese, Luis Advincula, Miguel Trauco, Renato Tapia, Christian Cueva and Edison Flores all ready to go again.
URUGUAY
Oscar Tabarez heads into his fifth World Cup qualifying competition with the same solid-looking squad that he put together before Russia 2018 and of which much is expected.
As well as the experience of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Diego Godin and Fernando Muslera, Tabarez can count on several youngsters with leadership qualities, among them Jose Maria Gimenez, Matias Vecino and Lucas Torreira. Uruguay are one of the sides expected to push hard for a place at Qatar 2022.
VENEZUELA
Last place in the Russia 2018 qualifiers was a backwards step for Venezuela, who have nevertheless kept their faith in Rafael Dudamel.
The coach remains committed to his youth policy, having brought through the likes of Wuilker Farinez, Yangel Herrera, Yefferson Soteldo and Ronald Hernandez.
If Venezuela are to finally make their World Cup dream come true, however, they will need veterans Tomas Rincon and Salomon Rondon to fire.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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