FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Uruguay holds Brazil, Japan on cusp of qualification

Brazil drew 1-1 with Uruguay in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday after Gerson's brilliant strike cancelled out Federico Valverde's opener for the visitors.

After a tight first half, Real Madrid midfielder Valverde opened the scoring in the 55th minute when he curled a fine long-range low shot into the far corner.

Gerson brought the hosts level seven minutes later, the Flamengo midfielder scoring his first international goal with a terrific volley after a poor clearance by the Uruguayan defense.

Meanwhile, a second-half strike from Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Peru in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, with the striker's goal moving him into a tie with Diego Maradona as the country's fifth all-time scorer.

Martinez notched his 32nd international goal 10 minutes after the break, capitalizing on a fine cross from Lionel Messi to fire home a half-volley into the top-right corner.

Five-times World Cup winners Brazil are fifth in the CONMEBOL standings on 18 points, one point behind Colombia and Ecuador, after picking up their second straight draw.

Uruguay are second on 20 points, five behind leaders Argentina.

The top six will automatically qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Wasteful Colombia fall to 10-man Ecuador

Colombia lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Ecuador in South America's qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday while Julio Enciso's late equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Paraguay at Bolivia.

Ecuador struck in the seventh minute through Enner Valencia following a terrific solo run but the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute when Piero Hincapie was sent off for denying Jhon Cordoba a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Colombia were unable to find an equaliser despite having 25 attempts on goal, including a Luis Diaz header that struck the post before halftime, while they were also frustrated by a solid performance from Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.

Bolivia looked to make home advantage count against Paraguay at 4,150m above sea level in El Alto and they took the lead after 15 minutes via Ervin Vaca's first international goal.

The hosts squandered several chances to extend their lead and Miguel Almiron found the equaliser for Paraguay with a first-time finish off a pass from Enciso in the 71st minute.

Bolivia went ahead again nine minutes later when Miguel Terceros made no mistake from the penalty spot but Enciso halted the home fans' celebrations early in stoppage time with a superb strike from the edge of the box.

Paraguay came close to pulling out a last-gasp victory but goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra pulled off a brilliant save to deny Ramon Sosa.

Japan on cusp of qualification

Japan moved to the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday as a 3-1 win over hosts China coupled with Australia's 2-2 draw in Bahrain took Hajime Moriyasu's side nine points clear in Group C of the third round of Asia's preliminaries.

Koki Ogawa's double in Xiamen earned Japan a fifth win in six games and allowed the four-times Asian champions to extend their lead over the chasing pack with four games remaining as Australia and Saudi Arabia both faltered.

Kusini Yengi's stoppage-time goal salvaged a point for the Socceroos in Riffa while the Saudis fell to a surprise 2-0 loss against Indonesia in Jakarta on a night of unpredictable results across the continent.

Group B leaders South Korea were frustrated in Amman as Hong Myung-bo's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Palestine while Iran needed a late Sardar Azmoun goal to consolidate their grip on first place in Group A with a 3-2 win over Kyrgyzstan.

The top two in each of the continent's three preliminary groups qualify for the World Cup and Japan are now on the verge of confirming their place at their eighth consecutive finals.