James strikes for Colombia as deluge sinks Brazil-Argentina

Real Madrid star James Rodriguez returned to snatch a draw for Colombia against Chile on Thursday as Argentina and Brazil's long-awaited FIFA World Cup™ qualifying clash was postponed by torrential rain.

Rodriguez, who missed Colombia's opening two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers last month through injury, pounced in the 68th minute to help give his team a precious point in a 1-1 draw with the Copa America champions in Santiago. Chile, who dominated possession for long periods but struggled to break down a disciplined Colombian defence, had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time through a headed Arturo Vidal effort.

In other games Thursday, surprise package Ecuador defeated Uruguay 2-1 to maintain their 100 per cent start to the qualifying campaign after three matches. Ecuador, shock winners over Argentina in Buenos Aires last month, secured all three points through Fidel Martinez's second-half winner.

Uruguay, missing suspended superstar Luis Suarez - still serving a ban for his infamous bite at the 2014 FIFA World Cup - struggled to contain a vibrant Ecuador side in Quito. Ecuador took the lead on 23 minutes through Felipe Caicedo, the Espanyol striker coolly tucking away a low cross from Juan Paredes on the right flank.

But Uruguay levelled four minutes after half-time through returning striker Edinson Cavani, the Paris Saint-Germain forward heading home from Nicolas Lodeiro's perfectly flighted free-kick. But Ecuador regained the lead only 10 minutes later however through an opportunistic strike from Martinez.

Superclasico washout
Swansea City forward Jefferson Montero was the catalyst, cutting in purposefully from the left flank and unleashing a fierce low shot towards Fernando Muslera. He could only parry the shot into the path of Martinez, who jabbed home the rebound to trigger wild celebrations in Quito's Atahualpa Stadium.

Ecuador will now aim to secure a fourth consecutive victory when they travel to Venezuela next Tuesday. Venezuela, who lost their opening two matches last month, suffered a third defeat earlier on Thursday when they slumped to a 4-2 defeat to Bolivia in La Paz.

But the most eagerly awaited match of the day, the Superclasico between South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, was a washout. Torrential rain pounded Buenos Aires for hours prior to kick-off, leaving the pitch at River Plate's famous Monumental Stadium heavily waterlogged with no chance of play possible.

Argentina and Brazil will now face each other on Friday, weather permitting. Brazil are welcoming back superstar striker Neymar from suspension after his four-match ban at the Copa America.

Argentina meanwhile are looking to bag their first win of the qualifying campaign after taking only one point from their first two matches last month. Argentina are without an array of key players, with captain Lionel Messi and strikers Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez all injured.

Source: AFP