Biggest Surprises of World Cup South American Qualifying so Far

In the eyes of many observers, the World Cup qualifying campaign in South America is the toughest of any region. The teams fighting for a place in football's premier competition do not just have to compete against a group of extremely able opponents, all of whom on their day are capable of beating each other. 

Extreme heat and humidity, dizzying altitudes and fanatical home supports are habitual obstacles for CONMEBOL nations on the road, meaning shock results (who could forget Argentina's 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Bolivia, for instance?) are commonplace. Even with hosts Brazil out of the competition, the nine remaining sides are locked in a bitter struggle for the five qualifying spots. 

As always, 2014's competition has thrown up its fair share of surprises. Here are some of the biggest in the last two years of competition.  

5. Messi Finding Form

Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Lionel Messi's brilliant qualifying campaign should be a surprise. While accusations before 2011 that the Barcelona star did not give his all in international colours were wildly inaccurate, it is fair to say that Argentina fans rarely saw La Pulga at his magisterial best. 

The appointment of Alejandro Sabella following that year's Copa America, however, coincided with Messi's most impressive run of form for his nation. Given the captain's armband, the 26-year-old responded magnificently to the challenge and became the focal point for Argentina that he was always capable of being. 

Currently second in the qualifying scoring charts with eight, one statistic stands out: Messi's 18 goals in the 24 months since Sabella took over total one more than he managed in the six years beforehand—under no less than four different coaches.  

4. Paraguay Failing to Qualify

Under Gerardo Martino, Paraguay became a force to be reckoned with at South American and world level. Since the current Barcelona coach left in 2011, however, the World Cup quarter-finalists and Copa America finalists have fallen away alarmingly. 

Current coach Victor Genes is the third man to sit on the bench during the 2014 campaign, after predecessors Francisco Arce and Gerardo Pelusso managed a measly eight points in 12 games. Fifth place and a playoff spot is technically still within reach, but Paraguay look set to miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1994.  

3. Venezuela Challenging

For years, Venezuela were considered a joke—whipping boys for the entire continent. As the only nation in South America where baseball (or any sport) is more popular than football, the Vinotinto remain the sole representative of the continent to have never played in a World Cup. 

Since hosting the Copa America in 2007, however, there has been a steady improvement in the nation's play. Under enterprising young coach Cesar Farias and with stars such as Juan Arango, Tomas Rincon and Salomon Rondon, Venezuela now have an excellent chance of challenging for a place at Brazil 2014. 

The side lie sixth in the standings, level with Uruguay on points, but with a worse goal difference and having played one more game. With a relatively kind run of fixtures to come, though, nobody will bet against Farias' men finishing inside that all-important top five. 

2. Uruguay’s Fall from Grace

Inspired by coach Oscar Tabarez and captain Diego Lugano, Uruguay enjoyed a golden period over the last few years. A World Cup semi-final was followed by a 3-0 thrashing of Paraguay in 2011's Copa America final, establishing the Celeste as South America's most powerful force. 

Just like their final opponents, though, the World Cup qualifying campaign has served a cold dose of reality to Uruguayan pretensions. A solid start was followed by a nightmare run of four defeats in six winless matches, leaving the nation in serious danger of missing out on Brazil 2014. 

June's away victory over Venezuela was crucial in putting Uruguay back on solid ground, and they will draw encouragement from an impressive run in the Confederations Cup. In 2010, too, the Celeste qualified by the skin of their teeth, and just look at how that World Cup went for them! 

1. Benitez’s Shock Death

An extremely impressive qualifying campaign from Ecuador has been overshadowed by a shocking, tragic turn of events within the camp. 

As explained by The Guardian, star striker and former Birmingham City player Christian Benitez passed away one month ago after suffering sudden heart failure following a match for new club Al-Jaish. Tributes have flocked in for the 27-year-old, who had been a fixture in the Tricolor side and contributed four goals in the qualifying campaign. 

As they prepare on Friday for their first competitive game without the attacker, away to Colombia, Ecuador trained in the Quito Stadium—which has already been rebaptised "Estadio Christian Benitez" in honour of their tragic idol, according to El Universo.