Venezuela scored twice in the last 15 minutes, including a stunning Juan Arango free-kick, to beat 10-man Colombia 2-0 on Tuesday and keep alive their chances of qualifying for their first World Cup.
Nicolas Fedor, who plays for Salamanca in the Spanish second division, broke the deadlock when he turned in a low cross from Anyelo Pena in the 77th minute, only two minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Four minutes later Arango curled a free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar as the hosts made Colombia pay for their defensive tactics.
PHOTO: AFP
Colombia, who have scored only six goals in their 12 World Cup qualifiers, had midfielder Abel Aguilar sent off in the 27th minute for a violent lunge at Alejandro Moreno.
However, it made little difference as they were incapable of putting any sort of attacking moves together before or after his dismissal.
The win left Venezuela with 13 points from 12 games in the 10-team group, one behind Colombia, three behind fifth-placed Uruguay and five behind fourth-placed Brazil.
PHOTO: EPA
Venezuela’s chances nearly all came from Arango’s left foot.
The captain was close three times in the first half, all from outside the penalty area, and missed a sitter midway through the second when he side-footed across the face of goal when free in the area.
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