Chilean midfielder Felipe Gutiérrez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Bottom-dwelling squad Venezuela (0-4-1, 1 point) will try to snag their first win of the CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, March 29th at the Estadio Agustín Tovar in Barinas, Venezuela against tough team Chile (2-2-1, 7 points), who are so far having a mercurial campaign in the tournament.
Venezuela is still winless in the ongoing World Cup qualifying tourney, although they managed to finally gain a point in the overall standings after a 2-2 draw with Peru during the previous matchday at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, as per Soccerway.
La Vinotinto had actually scored the first two goals of the match, courtesy of a penalty kick from midfielder Romulo Otero and a strike from center back Mikel Villanueva at the 33rd and 57th minutes respectively.
However, the hosts fought back to level the count with two goals of their own, first from former Bayern Munich striker Paolo Guerrero at the 61st before forward Raul Ruidiaz equalized it late in stoppage time.
With the draw, head coach Noel Sanvicente's squad remains in the cellar of the 10-team qualifying competitions as they look to improve their games in the next matchdays.
Meanwhile, the reigning Copa America champions were turned back by the surging FIFA world no. 2 ranked Argentina, 1-2, at their home field of Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago also in the previous matchday, as reported by ESPN.
La Roja drew first blood in the match with a goal from midfielder Felipe Gutierrez right at the 11th minute, but it was immediately answered by La Albiceleste with two goals in the first half from Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria and River Plate center back Gabriel Mercado at the 20th and 25th minutes respectively.
The two teams were unable to score any goals in the second half of play as both defenses tightened up until the final whistle.
The predicted result is a 3-1 win for Chile. Venezuela will remain winless in the tourney as "Juan Antonio Pizzi" boys redeem themselves from the Argentina loss.
Venezuela starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Baroja; Villanueva, Angel, Vizcarrondo, Faria; Figuera, Rincon; Otero, Martinez, Anor; Rondón
Chile starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Bravo; Mena, Jara, Medel, Isla; Gutierrez, Diaz; Beausejour, Fernandez, Orellana; Sanchez
