An 89th-minute goal by substitute Luiz Henrique gave Brazil a 2-1 away win over Chile on Thursday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match. The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Júnior's team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying.

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying gets back underway in what has been a topsy turvy run so far for South American teams through eight rounds of play. Lionel Messi will return for Argentina with the team still in first place during qualifying but Colombia and Uruguay are hot on their heels.

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Thursday.

Argentina lead standings with 19 points from 9 games, three points clear of second-placed Colombia, who suffered defeat to Bolivia.

Earlier, Lionel Messi’s Argentina drew Venezuela 1-1 in a match that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela.

Chile, one of the worst-performing teams in South American qualifying, opened the scoring seconds after the kickoff at the National Stadium in Santiago

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in the South America's World Cup qualifiers. Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July,

It was a tough day at the office for Lionel Messi and his Argentina squad as they failed to capitalize on Otamendi's goal to grab the win against Venezuela. Messi provided a cross to Otamendi in the 13th minute of the match which was successfully converted into a goal.