MONTEVIDEO, Oct 16, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Colombia turned on the style as they 
took another big step towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 
win over Chile in Barranquilla on Tuesday.

Goals from Davinson Sanchez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Duran and Luis Sinisterra 
ensured Colombia maintain their spot in second place in CONMEBOL qualifying 
behind world champions Argentina.

There was a different look to the team, wearing a special retro white kit, 
marking the Colombian Football Federation's centenary, featuring the national 
flag's colours in a hoop.

It was a dashing design and the performance of Nestor Lorenzo's team was 
equally stylish as they took apart a woeful Chile side that remain rooted to 
bottom place in the ten-team qualifying group.

Defender Davinson Sanchez opened the scoring in the 34th minute, nodding home 
after Jhon Lucumi had headed a James Rodriguez corner goalwards.

Cordoba slotted home a Diaz cross in the 45th minute but the effort was ruled 
out for offside against Diaz.

Chile gifted the Colombians a second, seven minutes after the interval, when 
they attempted to play the ball out from the back and Benjamin Kusevic gave 
the ball away to Rodriguez, who squared to Liverpool winger Diaz to convert.

Rodriguez went close with a header and then the dangerous Diaz flashed a shot 
wide as Colombia looked to finish off what little resistance the Chileans 
provided.

Substitute Duran made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute after another giveaway, this 
time in midfield, allowed Sinisterra to break and then feed the Aston Villa 
forward, who made no mistake.

Sinisterra then wrapped up the win in stoppage time, firing home at the 
second attempt and the goal, initially flagged for offside, was allowed after 
a VAR review.

Paraguay boosted their chances of grabbing one of the six automatic 
qualification spots after substitute Antonio Sanabria scored twice in a 2-1 
win over Venezuela.

Full-back Jon Aramburu put Venezuela ahead in the 25th minute, bursting down 
the right and collecting a pass from Yeferson Soteldo that he buried in the 
bottom corner.

Torino striker Sanabria was introduced at the interval and he brought sixth-
placed Paraguay level when he slid in to meet a low cross from Junior Alonso.

Sanabria then grabbed the winner in the 74th minute, leading a counter-attack 
before getting into the box to finish off the move with a header from close 
range.

Later on Tuesday, Argentina host Bolivia and Brazil take on Peru.