World Cup qualifiers results (CONMEBOL): Argentina drop points at Ecuador, Columbia beat Peru

Despite scoring a fast goal, Argentina was happy to escape with a draw in their World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

Aguero converted a penalty to give Argentina an early lead in the fourth minute of the game, only to see his effort cancelled out by Castillos’ header from a free-kick 13 minutes later. The home side has probably been closer to scoring a match-winning goal, but failed to capitalize on a string of corners, desperately cleared by Argentina’s defenders.

With the game nearing the end there was a controversy, as Mascherano was shown a straight red card for a bizzare incident. The Argentinian midfielder kicked the driver of the medical cart that took him from the pitch after the player sustained an injury. The referee immediately showed Mascerano a red card to spark a furious reaction from the Argentina bench.

Argentina saw their lead cut to three points, with Colombia securing 2-0 victory over Peru.

Radamel Falcao produced an excellent performance and scored a goal to help Colombia outplay underdogs Peru 2-0.

Colombian goal-machine scored his seventh goal of the campaign from the penalty spot early in the game. Teofilo Gutierrez doubled Colombia lead in the 45th minute.

The victory means Colombia made a huge step closer to their first World Cup appearances since 1982. After winning seven out of their 12 games, they are finding themselves in the second spot with 23 points and look destined to qualify.

Peru are sixth with 14 points and have an outside chance of progressing into World Cup final stages.

Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani netted the only goal of the game to help his side back on the winning ways with a victory over Venezuela.

Uruguay took the lead after 28th minute thanks to a piece of individual magic from Cavani, who cut inside Venezuela’s defender and fired the shot inside the far post. The visitors had their player sent off for a second yellow six minutes before the final whistle.

The result allowed the Copa America holders, who failed to win in their last six World Cup qualifiers’, moving fifth-place play-off spot. They are level on points with Venezuela, but outstrip them on goal difference.

Chile beat basement boys Bolivia by 3-1 to cement their hold on fourth place.

Forward Eduardo Vargas opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Sanchez doubled Chile advantage with a close-range header two minutes later. Bolivia clawed one back courtesy of Martins’ goal in the 30th minute. Vidal rounded off his side’s scoring with a fine header from Beausejour’s cross in the 90th minute.

Chile are lying comfortably in the fourth spot with 21 points from 13 games, behind Ecuador on goal difference.