CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying wrap: Chile grab late win

Chile scored two late goals to steal a 2-0 victory away to Venezuela in South American World Cup qualifying on Saturday.

The victory puts Chile on top of South America’s standings in World Cup qualifying with 12 points from six matches.

With the scores still locked at 0-0 with just five minutes plus injury time left in the match, Matias Fernandez put the visitors ahead after pouncing on the ball in the area and striking across goal.

Charles Aranguiz linked with Sebastian Pinto to score Chile’s second goal in the first minute of second-half injury time, handing Venezuela their first home-defeat in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

Chile are two points ahead of Argentina in South America’s qualifying standings with Uruguay and Venezuela both on eight points.

In Saturday’s other South American qualifier, Bolivia thumped Paraguay 3-1 with Pablo Escobar scoring twice.

Alcides Pena’s strike deflected off Paraguay defender Adalberto Roman in the 10th minute to give Bolivia the lead at half-time.

While Bolivia’s Gualberto Mojica missed a penalty in the 63rd minute, the home side doubled their lead seven minutes later when Escobar cut in from the left and thumped his shot into the roof of the net.

The 33-year-old winger made it 3-0 in the 80th minute with a back-post finish before Paraguay scored a consolation goal two minutes later through Cristian Riveros.

Saturday’s win was Bolivia’s first of this qualifying campaign and takes them to seventh on four points, ahead of Paraguay on goal difference.