SANTIAGO – “La Roja” returns to face the third and fourth qualifying rounds on the way to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Chile’s national football team will face Perú, on Nov. 13, and Venezuela, on Nov. 17. These are two direct rivals looking for a place in the next World Cup.
With more doubts than certainties, Chile’s national team, “La Roja,” led by Reinaldo Rueda, must obtain at least four points in its upcoming third and fourth qualifying rounds for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, because of poor results against Colombia and Uruguay in which the Chilean squad only gained a single point.
The return of some key players, such as Claudio Bravo, Erick Pulgar, Jean Beausejour, and Fabián Orellana, without a doubt will strengthen the national team. However, the absences of Gary Medel, Charles Aranguiz and Eduardo Vargas could hurt the team.
“La Roja” will meet Perú at the Estadio Nacional on Friday, Nov. 13. It will be a duel in which Reinaldo Rueda’s team needs to perform well. Four days later, Nov. 17, Chile heads to Caracas to face the Venezuelan team.
The Pacific Classic
Perú has the same number of points as the Chilean team, but is a different animal: it lacks big-name players, but it makes up for that with well-oiled tactical functioning.
In its first match against Paraguay the game ended in a draw, and, in the second one, Perú lost to Brazil in a hard-fought match. Now, against Chile, the team hopes to win its first three points in the qualifier. Don’t forget that the Peruvian team won its last two games against the Chilean squad.
Venezuela’s Reality
“La Vinotinto” (the Venezuelan team) lost its first two matches on the way to Qatar: first, it lost 0-3 against Colombia, and then it lost to Paraguay due to a last-minute goal.
The team is hungry, though: it sees its first-ever World Cup qualification within reach. It is the only South American Football Confederation team that has not played at a FIFA World Cup.
