RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay have secured places at next year's FIFA World Cup while Lionel Messi bid an emotional goodbye to Argentine fans on the penultimate day of South American qualifiers.
Messi scored twice as Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0 in what was likely the 38-year-old's final home World Cup qualifier and the main event of Thursday's full round of fixtures.
The Albiceleste captain fought back tears during the warmup as fans chanted his name, then gave the reigning world champion the lead by lifting a shot over goalkeeper Rafael Romo.
Substitute Lautaro Martinez made it 2-0 with a diving header from Nico Gonzalez's cut-back, before Messi combined with Thiago Almada to side-foot home the third.
Messi admitted the night carried the weight of a farewell at Buenos Aires' Monumental stadium.
"Being able to finish this way here with my people is what I always dreamed of," he said. "It [retirement] is not something I like, want or expect. I love playing and don't want it to ever end, but I'm also aware the moment is approaching."
In Asuncion, a goalless home draw with Ecuador secured Paraguay its first World Cup berth in 16 years, lifting it to 25 points - its best tally since the 2010 qualifying campaign.
"The key was to win the players' support, trying to agree not just on an idea, but on the way we wanted people to see us," Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro told reporters.
"I never realized what was going to come next and I never realized the passion this country could show for something as beautiful as football."
Ecuador, currently fourth in the South American standings, also booked its place in the World Cup finals.
In Barranquilla, Juan Fernando Quintero scored one goal and set up another as Colombia booked its place at football's showpiece in the United States, Mexico and Canada with a 3-0 win over Bolivia.
James Rodriguez fired the host ahead with a first-time effort after Santiago Arias' cross, and Jhon Cordoba made it 2-0 by latching onto Quintero's long pass and rifling a shot past goalkeeper Carlos Lampe.
Quintero put the result beyond doubt, slotting a composed finish into the far corner after Luis Diaz's cross.
"We would like to have done it sooner, but we're very happy to be going to the World Cup," Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo said. "Those waits are long and hard because they fill you with anxiety. We just wanted to give something back to the fans for the support they have shown us."
In Montevideo, Uruguay clinched a spot in its fifth consecutive World Cup with a 3-0 home win over Peru.
Rodrigo Aguirre gave his side the lead with a glancing header after Guillermo Varela's cross from the right. Aguirre then turned provider as he headed the ball into the path of Giorgian de Arrascaeta, whose powerful shot rebounded in off the crossbar.
Federico Vinas added a third on the counterattack with a clinical finish past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, ending Peru's hopes of qualifying.
"We have players who are gradually improving ... and who were able to live up to the demands of a match we needed to win," Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa said, declining to predict whether his team could win football's ultimate prize.
"Hope is not the same as predictions. Hope is what drives us. Predictions in football are very difficult to make," the Argentine coach added.
In Rio de Janeiro, Chelsea teenager Estevao was among the scorers as Brazil eased to a 3-0 win over Chile.
Estevao opened the scoring with an overhead kick from close range, before a probing run and cross from Luiz Henrique set up Lucas Paqueta to head in from point-blank range.
Bruno Guimaraes sealed the result at the Maracana with a simple tap-in after Henrique's shot rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.
"We played intense football, with good rhythm, a solid defense and a lot of pressure," Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said. "I think that, like us, the fans are very happy with the team's performance." ■
