Carmelo Algaranaz and Miguel Terceros scored first-half goals as Bolivia secured a 2-1 away victory over Chile in their World Cup qualifier here on Tuesday.
The visitors opened the scoring at Estadio Nacional through Algaranaz, who finished coolly after Roberto Fernandez’s pass on the counterattack.
The hosts dominated possession but struggled to find a way past Bolivia’s low defensive line. That changed in the 39th minute when former Napoli and Valencia forward Eduardo Vargas capitalized on a slip from goalkeeper Carlos Lampe to slot the ball into an empty net.
But Bolivia quickly regained the lead through Terceros, who struck from close range after combining with Roberto Fernandez.
The visitors held on to secure their second consecutive victory and climb to eighth in the South American zone’s 10-team standings, just a point behind sixth-placed Venezuela.
Bolivia’s victory was soured, however, by an Achilles tendon injury to Lampe, who was forced off the pitch just before halftime.
“We hoped to be abl
e to get a point and knew that a victory would be difficult,” Bolivia manager Oscar Villegas told a news conference.
“We’re very happy with the outcome of the match but at the same time we’re sad for Carlos [Lampe]. He will need surgery and will likely need a long recovery period.”
The result marked Chile’s third consecutive qualifying defeat as they slumped to ninth in the group with just five points so far. Enditem
Source: The Namibia News Agency