SAO PAULO – Brazil ended Chile’s slim hopes of reaching the World Cup as their victory pushed Alexis Sanchez and company from third to sixth in the qualifying group.
The reigning Copa America champions were third heading into the final day of CONMEBOL qualifying but they paid the ultimate price for a 3-0 loss to Brazil in Sao Paulo.
Argentina’s 3-1 win in Ecuador and Peru’s 1-1 draw with Colombia relegated the Chileans to sixth in the standings, robbing them of a 10th World Cup finals appearance.
Arturo Vidal retires after World Cup disappointment
Midfielder Arturo Vidal, who missed the game through suspension, announced his retirement following the loss and tweeted that “my soul is destroyed”.
“Thanks boys, for everything, for all these years together giving our lives in every game,” the 30-year-old wrote.
Chile’s Argentinean manager Juan Antonio Pizzi also left his post after Tuesday’s disappointment.
