Peru have finished fifth after today’s final round of matches in South American World Cup qualifying and they will play the All Whites in a home and away playoff in November. The first leg will be in Wellington.
Meanwhile, heavyweights Argentina came good in the end thanks to a Lionel Messi hattrick and go through to the finals in Russia next year. They join Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.
Just to put things in perspective - Peru are ranked 12th in the world, the All Whites 113th, so it's not going to be easy.
Final scores:
Brazil 3 Chile 0
Ecuador 1 Argentina 3
Paraguay 0 Venezuela 1
Peru 1 Colombia 1
Uruguay 4 Bolivia 2
2.33pm So perhaps not the most exciting of opponents for the All Whites and their fans in the playoff. But maybe that's a good thing for Anthony Hudson, Chris Wood and co who will hope to get a good result in Wellington and then put on a defensive display in Lima. The dates for the matches, which must be played between November 6 and 14, will be announced by Fifa in the coming days now the opponents are known.
2.24pm That's it. The All Whites will play Peru. Argentina go through as do Colombia and Uruguay, alongside Brazil. Chile crash out.
2.16pm With two minutes plus injury time left, Peru are closing in on a trip to Wellington. Brazil we already know are through, while Uruguay and Argentina look safe. Paraguay look out of it. Chile or Colombia could still end up in 5th if there are more goals in the final minutes.
2.10pm Peru have equalised against Colombia through Guerrero and they jump back into 5th. Uruguay have a fourth goal from Lodeiro and have a lock on 2nd, despite conceding a second own goal of the game shortly afterwards. Venezuela have gone 1-0 up against Paraguay.
2.03pm Things have calmed down a bit after that frantic 20 minutes at the start of the second half which saw the 5th placed team change three times in quick succession. Argentina look safe and it's hard to see Chile coming back from 2 down against Brazil. Will Peru manage to get something back against Colombia, or Paraguay a winner, which would change it all again.
1.51pm Messi has a hattrick and Argentina are 3-1 up and looking good the finals - at last. Uruguay also have a third against Bolivia, the goal coming from Suarez. No change to the table - Chile still in 5th.
1.48pm Colombia have gone ahead against Peru. That puts them in 3rd, Argentina in 4th and Chile back into 5th. Rodriguez scored for Colombia.
1.46pm Brazil have a second. The first from Paulinho, the second from Jesus. That changes the goal difference and makes Peru the All Whites' opponents as it stands.
1.44pm Brazil have gone 1-0 up against Chile. Which means Chile are now in fifth and set to play the All Whites. No change to the score in any of the other games after almost 10 minutes of the second half.
1.33pm The second half is about to get underway across the five matches. The qualification picture, including the All Whites' opponents, could still change quickly if the goals start going in for Chile, Colombia, Peru or Paraguay in the final 45 minutes.
1.20pm Halftime across the games. It's Ecuador 1 Argentina 2 thanks to Messi's two goals, the second one a cracker. That puts Argentina in 3rd and on their way to the World Cup finals in Russia. Peru and Colombia are drawing 0-0, putting Colombia in line for a playoff against the All Whites and knocking Peru out. Brazil and Chile, and Paraguay and Venezuela are also tied 0-0, while Uruguay are leading 2-1 against Bolivia. Chile and Uruguay also head through if it stays like this.
1.15pm Uruguay are now ahead 2-1, their second goal coming from Edinson Cavani.
1.13pm Uruguay have equalised through Caceres, tightening their grip on second place. Meanwhile the Argentina game continues at a frenetic pace, with Argentina desperately wanting the comfort of another goal and Ecuador playing for pride.
1.05pm With about 10 minutes to go until halftime, it remains goalless between Brazil and Chile, Paraguay and Venezuela, and Peru and Colombia. Argentina lead Ecuador 2-1 and Uruguay trail 1-0 to Bolivia.
12.58pm Bolivia have gone one up against Uruguay thanks to an own goal. That probably doesn't affect anything as Bolivia can't qualify and Uruguay should be safe as they have a vastly superior goal difference to the other sides.
12.50pm Messi again - it's 2-1 Argentina, and they jump up the table into the automatic qualification places. Which means the All Whites are now set to face Colombia.
12.44pm After 12 minutes, Argentina are level through Messi. But they need another and with no goals in any of the other games the All Whites are still facing Peru in the playoff.
12.31pm Ecuador have scored in the opening minute through Romario Ibarra - Argentina's job just got even harder.
12.30pm Here we go. Five simultaneous games underway across South America and everything to play for, with the All Whites watching on to see who their opponents will be next month.
12.10pm Just 20 minutes until kickoff now and the teams have been announced. Argentina will have a front three of Messi, Di Maria and Benedetto, which - surely - will have some goals in it today. As long as they can adjust to playing at altitude in Quito, Ecuador, almost 3000m above sea level.
Pre-match: Right, so this could get complicated. Will it be Argentina and Messi, Chile and Sanchez, or Colombia and Rodriquez travelling to Wellington next month? Or a lesser known footballing country in Peru or Paraguay?
The situation in the South American qualifying looks like this - the top four teams after today's matches go through. The fifth-placed side plays the All Whites over two legs, home and away between November 6 and 14. The first leg will be in Wellington.
Uruguay are more or less through – they have 28 points and a much better goal difference (+10) and so are unlikely to be caught. Chile are away in Brazil , who have already qualified. A win would guarantee qualification for Chile. Peru and Colombia play each other. If Colombia win, they’re through. If Peru win and Argentina don’t, Peru get at least the playoff slot. If those two teams draw, then other results come into play. Argentina are away at altitude in Ecuador and really need a win. A draw would only be good enough if Peru lose and Paraguay fail to win. Paraguay play Venezuela , who are out of contention. Paraguay would have to win and hope other results go their way to advance.
Today's matches (all 12.30pm NZT kickoff):
Brazil v Chile
Ecuador v Argentina
Paraguay v Venezuela
Peru v Colombia
Uruguay v Bolivia
Here's the table at the start of play:
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