Chile problems mount after Bolivia defeat

Bolivia stunned Chile 1-0 here Tuesday as the South American champions' stuttering 2018 World Cup qualification campaign suffered another setback.

 

A second half Juan Carlos Arce penalty earned a deserved win for Bolivia, who have already been eliminated from qualifying contention.

 

The defeat piled up the problems for Chile, the two-time Copa America champions who crashed to a 3-0 home defeat against Paraguay last week.

 

The loss means Chile will now fall out of the automatic qualification places later Tuesday if Argentina gain at least a point against Venezuela.

 

The Chileans could have few complaints after another uninspiring performance.

 

Bolivia enjoyed the better of a lacklustre first half, and might have taken the lead in the opening minutes only for Marcelo Martins to head wide after Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo flapped at a corner.

 

Bolivia dominated territory and possession as Chile struggled once again to reproduce the form which helped them win back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016 and emerge as the dominant force in South American football.

 

For a while it looked as if Chile may be able to ride their luck, but midway through the second half the pressure told when Marcelo Diaz handled in the area to gift Bolivia a penalty.

 

From the spot-kick Arce made no mistake, bludgeoning his penalty into the top corner past Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

 

Bolivia's Alejandro Chumacero was dismissed for a second yellow card but the decision came too late to save Chile.