Mueez Ajao
– A double from Alexis Sanchez helped Chile beat Bolivia 3-2 on Tuesday to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
– With two games remaining for both sides, Chile moved into fifth place in the 10-team South American group on 19 points.
– The top four teams in the section qualify automatically for Qatar and the fifth-placed side goes into a playoff with a team from the Asian confederation.
Also Read: World Cup qualifiers: Di Maria stars as Argentina edge Chile
– Brazil and Argentina have already qualified and Ecuador in third will almost certainly join them.
– On a heavy pitch in the Bolivian capital, Sanchez put Chile ahead after 14 minutes but Marc Enoumba equalised eight minutes before half-time for the home side.
– Marcelino Nunez restored Chile’s lead after 77 minutes and Sanchez added a third with four minutes remaining.
– Bolivia’s top goalscorer Marcelo Martins pulled one back two minutes later but Chile held on.
– Peru, who have 20 points, play Ecuador, who sit third with 24 points, later on Tuesday. Leaders Brazil are at home to Paraguay and second-place Argentina are at home to Colombia.
– In the night’s other game, Uruguay, who have 19 points, take on Venezuela, who are bottom of the group and out the running.
