Germany is a bit different than Chile. Chile has had a long history of losing big games to Brazil and being eliminated by them. It should not shock anyone if it happens again.
Sure, they both can, but: 1. Chile have a final matchday vs Brasil. Unless Brasil is feeling very gracious they will end the campaign on 26 or 27 points. That leaves them at the mercy of other teams and it doesn't look good. They may even end up 7th... 2. Argentina play their direct competitor Peru, which has been on an upward trend winning their last three games, Even if they win that they end with Ecuador away... On current form would anyone really expect them to get more than 3 pts from the 2 games? That said it looks unlikely neither Argentina or Chile will end up fifth, so that means a playoff. So I expect one team not to make it, but I doubt both won't. Especially given how many teams are howering around those spots...
Their direct competitor is Peru, who has an even tougher schedule. Away at Argentina and home to Colombia. Even if Peru beats Colombia, all Chile needs is one point at Brazil as long as they beat at home an Ecuador that has long given up the fight.
Since people are bringing up Peru... ...Peru has not beaten Colombia in Peru in decades. Colombia almost always seems to have a mental edge against them in their house for some reason. But of course there is always a first time for everything. Peru can win.
Ecuador has been playing soo poorly defensively though. Really stupid and naive errors on defense and by their keeper in games I have seen. They have no confidence or tactical awareness either so that is something Argentina can take advantage of. Only thing they got going for them is that Argentina rarely does well at altitude.
Cuba could win baseboll World Cup if they use pros in USA zone (not military). Pig (Dodgers) is good!
I think Peru would be slight favorites this time just because of the situation: - huge match for Peru - probably meaningless for Colombia - Peru is playing better than at any other time in the last 15 years
Even so, we are still talking about a team that Colombia mentally owns and they would like to still end the tournament on a high note and a possible (yet not likely) seed for the World Cup. Assuming the win against Paraguay of course.
At one point in history Peru mentally owned Colombia....these things don't always last for eternity Not saying Peru will win but this team has displayed mental toughness in several matches that are not usually displayed by Peruvian teams It might boil down to how the team performs in Buenos Aires Either way if Paraguay take something from Colombia it will be a very intense game in Lima
Asked about the main rivals for the World Cup title, Tite made a point of naming several world champions, especially the European ones, but he cited - and stressed - another: Belgium. Tite knows a thing or 2 (two) about football ... did OK in the "hardest" qualifiers on the planet ... a very wise man, very wise indeed.
the current head to head stands at Colombia - 21 wins Peru - 18 wins Draws - 21 from 1938 to 1983 the head to head was Played 27 games Colombia - 5 wins Peru - 14 wins = 52% wins Draws - 8 post 1983 Played 33 games Colombia - 16 wins = 48% wins Peru - 4 wins Draws - 13 so you could argue that till 1983 when Peru played Colombia we expected to either win or at the very least draw...losing was not very common. In fact Colombia did not win a single match from 1961 to 1975. They won in 61 and won again in 75, in between that there was 11 games were Peru recorded 5 wins and there was 6 draws from the 1975 Copa America to the 1983 Copa America they played each other in 7 official games (3 in Copa 75, 2 in WCQ 82, 2 in Copa 83). Peru won 4, Colombia 1. These wins also included a Final victory in Copa America 75 The opposite occurred post 1983 where Peru started a downward spiral and Colombia eventually overtook us in the head to head
Peru has really been flying high lately. Especially if Colombia qualify by the last round Peru will really like their chances.