MARACAIBO, Venezuela, 20 November 2003 — Underdogs Venezuela snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Bolivia thanks to last-gasp goals by Jose Manuel Rey and Juan Arango in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Venezuela were 1-0 down in a scrappy game when defender Rey equalized from a free-kick in the 90th minute. Then, two minutes into injury time, midfielder Arango clinched victory with a low, left-foot shot that rebounded off the post into the net.
The late goals brought the 30,000 home crowd to its feet in the western oil city of Maracaibo.
Venezuela, the only South American nation never to have played in the World Cup finals, also recorded a 1-0 win in last Saturday’s qualifying match in Colombia.
Joaquin Botero put Bolivia ahead with an opportunist goal 15 minutes into the second half.
Botero scooped the ball into the corner of the net after a header from Venezuela defender Alejandro Cichero rebounded off another player to the feet of the Bolivia striker.
In the 84th minute, Ecuadorean referee Mauricio Reinoso disallowed a goal by Venezuela substitute Alexander Rondon for offside.
Arango, the darling of the home fans, came close to scoring early in the first half when his shot cannoned off the crossbar after Bolivia goalkeeper Leonel Fernandez had parried an earlier drive from Rey.
Paraguay Beat Chile to Earn Third World Cup Win in a Row
In Santiago, midfielder Carlos Paredes hit the only goal to guide Paraguay to their third consecutive victory in World Cup qualifying, a 1-0 win over Chile on Tuesday.
Paredes, who plays for Italian Serie A side Reggina, scored in the 31st minute to put Paraguay top of the South American zone standings, at least until Brazil and Argentina play on Wednesday.
Paraguay’s goal came from one of their typical aerial attacks with right-back Francisco Arce almost inevitably the instigator.
Arce floated one of his trademark crosses into the penalty area, Jose Cardozo headed down at the far post and Paredes scored with a first-time shot from the edge of the box which took a deflection off Chile’s Rafael Olarra.
Keane Double Helps Ireland to Friendly Win Over Canada
In Dublin, two second-half goals from Ireland striker Robbie Keane wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 win over Canada in an international friendly on Tuesday.
Kenae struck on the hour and again six minutes from time after a dazzling run by winger Damien Duff had given the Irish a 23rd minute lead against a hard-working Canadian side.
Despite the disappointment of not qualifying for next year’s European Championship in Portugal, Brian Kerr’s side put on an upbeat display with Andy Reid showing promise on his debut.
Duff scored after darting forward from inside his own half and dodging past a succession of defenders to slot home.
Keane added to his mounting tally for Ireland with a header from a sweeping cross by Reid and a left foot finish in the box.
Canada’s Jason de Vos had a goal disallowed for offside but the visitors never seriously threatened a confident Irish side.
