The latest round of fixtures in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup saw mixed results for the Chelsea players involved, as the big teams continue to find life difficult.

That includes reigning world and continental champions Argentina, who suffered their third defeat of the competition despite Enzo Fernandez helping them to a good start away in Paraguay. The midfielder's brilliant long pass allowed Lautaro Martinez to open the scoring after 11 minutes - following a VAR review which overruled the original offside flag - but the visitors couldn't make it count.

An incredible bicycle-kick by Antonio Sanabria levelled the scores before Omar Alderete headed Paraguay into the lead, and Argentina were unable to recover as they grew increasingly frustrated with the officials due to their opponents' perceived heavy-handed treatment of captain Lionel Messi.

However, despite that loss, the Albiceleste remain three points clear at the top of the qualification table, although second-placed Colombia have played a game less.

Ecuador were without the suspended Moises Caicedo, who was nonetheless in the capital Quito to see them beat Bolivia in an impressive 4-0 victory. Kendry Paez, who is set to join Chelsea after he turns 18 next summer, came off the bench for the final 15 minutes of a win which leaves them with a healthy four-point safety cushion in the race for qualification.

Another player who is set to move to Stamford Bridge after his 18th birthday in 2025, Estevao Willian, was a late substitute for Brazil, but he didn't have time to change the result, as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw away in Venezuela. The point does move them up one place to third, though, ahead of Uruguay's game in hand.