SANTIAGO, March 26 (Reuters) – Striker Esteban Paredes, handed a late call-up at the weekend, inspired Chile to a rousing 2-0 victory against Uruguay in Santiago on Tuesday that ended a run of four defeats in their World Cup qualifying.

Paredes, who plays for Mexico’s Atlante, was called into coach Jorge Sampaoli’s squad after Alexis Sanchez’s suspension on Friday and with Humberto Suazo having made himself unavailable due to poor form.

SANTIAGO, Oct 16 (Reuters) – Argentina opened up a three-point lead in South America’s World Cup qualifying group after goals from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain gave them a 2-1 victory over Chile on Tuesday.

Argentina weathered an early storm at the Estadio Nacional before Messi broke into the box, sidestepped a defender and beat goalkeeper Miguel Pinto in the 28th minute.

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Winning on the road is tough in South America’s World Cup qualifiers but that is what Argentina and Ecuador must do if they are to stay at the top of the standings on Tuesday.

Argentina, rampant at home and leaders with 17 points from eight matches at the halfway stage in the nine-nation group, have managed one win in three away games before facing Chile in Santiago (8.05 p.m. EDT Wednesday).

SANTIAGO, June 21 (Reuters) – Boca Juniors drew 0-0 with
Universidad de Chile at the Estadio Nacional on Thursday to set
up a Libertadores Cup final against Corinthians.

The Argentine six-times South American champions took the
semi-final tie 2-0 on aggregate having won the first leg by that
score at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires last week.

ASUNCION (Reuters) – Chilean swimmer Kristel Kobrich is concentrating on just one race at the Olympic Games in London, to avoid a repeat of the psychological burnout that shattered her medal dreams in Beijing four years ago.

Kobrich, a veteran of two previous Games and one of Chile’s medal hopes in London, will take part in the 800 meters freestyle and give the 10km open water race a miss.

ASUNCION, May 9 (Reuters) – Chilean swimmer Kristel Kobrich
is concentrating on just one race at the Olympic Games in
London, to avoid a repeat of the psychological burnout that
shattered her medal dreams in Beijing four years ago.

Kobrich, a veteran of two previous Games and one of Chile’s
medal hopes in London, will take part in the 800 metres
freestyle and give the 10km open water race a miss.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Uruguay’s captain and inspirational defender Diego Lugano may not be able to shake off a knee injury in time for the South Americans’ World Cup semi-final against Netherlands, he said on Sunday.

“It’s complicated because the time between one match and another is very short,” said Lugano, who limped off after damaging a right knee ligament during Uruguay’s quarter-final win over Ghana.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Mexican striker Guillermo Franco is itching to run on the pitch for the opening match of the World Cup on Friday against hosts South Africa.

“It’s a blessing from God, not everyone has the opportunity to kick off the World Cup and we’re aware that millions of people will be watching,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Reuben, like many Nigerians who live in South Africa, felt the impact on Sunday of being unable to afford a World Cup ticket when he was hurt trying to get into a game to watch his national team for free.

Thousands of Nigerians turned up at the Makhulong stadium outside Johannesburg looking to enjoy Nigeria’s friendly against North Korea, a warm-up for the tournament which starts on Friday.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – At least nine people, including one policeman, were taken to hospital after a stampede broke out during a pre-World Cup friendly match at the Makhulong Stadium between Nigeria and North Korea on Sunday, police said.

The match was briefly stopped early in the second half because of the injuries and safety of the fans in the overcrowded main stand where the fencing had been removed.