RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia continued their remarkable run of recent form while Brazil registered a much-needed victory in South America's World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.
In El Alto, near Bolivian capital La Paz, Miguel Terceros scored a stunning second-half goal as 10-man Bolivia edged to a 1-0 home victory over Colombia.
"I'm very happy to have been able to help the team with my goal," Terceros said after the match. "It was a difficult contest and we have to celebrate this victory because we deserve it."
The game was mostly played at a pedestrian pace as the rarefied air of Estadio Municipal - located more than 4,000 meters above sea level - made breathing difficult for both sides.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 20th minute when Hector Cuellar was shown a straight red card for an ugly challenge on Roger Martinez.
Colombia proceeded to dominate possession but lacked precision in the final third. Jhon Cordoba saw his close-range attempt rebound off the left post and Luis Diaz's dangerous effort was saved by goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.
Bolivia emerged from the halftime break with renewed vigor as Colombia began to tire. Terceros put his team ahead by running onto Robson Matheus's pass and dribbling around two defenders before rifling a 20-yard effort into the far corner.
The hosts maintained control thereafter to secure their fourth win in their past five qualifiers. The Verde now have 12 points from nine outings and are four points behind Colombia in the 10-team South American zone standings.
In Santiago, substitute Luiz Henrique scored late as five-time World Cup champions Brazil recovered from a goal down to beat Chile 2-1.
Veteran winger Eduardo Vargas gave the hosts an early lead at Estadio Nacional with a looping header into the far corner after Felipe Loyola's diagonal cross.
Brazil equalized through debutant Igor Jesus, who sent a glancing header beyond the reach of goalkeeper Brayan Cortes after Savinho's pass from the right wing.
The game looked headed for a draw before Henrique, a 68th-minute replacement for Savinho, combined with Bruno Guimaraes and angled a 16-yard drive into the bottom left corner a minute from time.
The result leaves Brazil fourth in the group with 13 points, six points behind leaders Argentina. Chile are ninth with just three points so far.
In the northeastern Venezuelan city of Maturin, Salomon Rondon struck a second-half equalizer as the Vinotinto salvaged a 1-1 home draw with Argentina.
Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for the visitors by firing home from the edge of the six-yard box after Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo punched away Lionel Messi's free-kick.
Rondon put his side on level terms just after the hour with a powerful header following Yeferson Soteldo's cross from the left flank.
In Thursday's only other match, Ecuador were held to a goalless home draw by Paraguay in Quito. ■
