The CONMEBOL group phase began on THU 08 OCT 2020, marking the first Men’s World Cup qualifiers played in 2020. Matches in all six confederations had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Uruguay’s Luis SUÁREZ scored the first goal of the competition with a 39th minute penalty in a win over Chile. This was the third consecutive time that Suárez opened the scoring in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.

After two matches, Brazil sit atop the table with six points, after defeating Bolivia 5-0 and Peru 4-2. A hat trick by NEYMAR in the Peru match lifted his career international total to 64 goals. He is now second on Brazil’s all time list, behind only PELÉ’s 77.

Argentina are also on six points, just behind Brazil on goal difference, after defeating Ecuador 1-0 and Bolivia 2-1.

CONMEBOL matches resume in NOV 2020, and the group phase is due to complete in MAR 2022. The top four teams qualify for Qatar 2022, and the fifth placed team advances to the playoffs.