Santiago: Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez scored second-half goals as Chile overcame Brazil 2-0 while Ecuador sprang a surprise snatching their first qualifying triumph on Argentinian soil in seven attempts, courtesy of late strikes by Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo in the opening 2018 World Cup qualifying round.
<img title="World Cup qualifiers: Argentina, Brazil slump as Uruguay soar" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/oct/9-sanzhez-vargas.jpg" alt="World Cup qualifiers: Argentina, Brazil slump as Uruguay soar" />Chile's forward Alexis Sanchez (back) with forward Eduardo Vargas. Pic/AFP
Vargas struck in the 72nd minute with a first-time volley that slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Jefferson after Mauricio Isla's free-kick on Thursday, reports Xinhua.
Sanchez then put the result beyond doubt at the Estadio Nacional stadium by playing a one-two with Arturo Vidal and drawing Jefferson off his line before firing into an unguarded net.
"It's an important step because Brazil have a great record against us in World Cup qualifiers," Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said.
"On a personal level it's a great feeling because I had never beaten Brazil before tonight. To beat a five-time World Cup champion is a a big result for Chile."
In Buenos Aires, Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo were on target as Ecuador surprised Argentina with a 2-0 win at the Monumental stadium on Thursday.
It was Argentina's first loss in 40 qualifying matches in Buenos Aires, a run stretching back to the famous 0-5 defeat to Colombia in 1993.
"I'm having a job finding anything positive to take away from the game," lamented Argentina coach Gerardo Martino after the match on Thursday.
"Ecuador were superior to us in every department."
In a hapless night for the hosts, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was carried off on a stretcher in the 24th minute with an apparent hamstring injury.
In other South American zone qualifiers on Thursday, Uruguay won 2-0 away to Bolivia, Colombia beat Peru 2-0 at home and hosts Venezuela lost 1-0 to Paraguay.

Argentina slumped to a shock home defeat against Ecuador while Brazil were beaten 2-0 by Chile as upsets dominated the opening round of South America's qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup

World Cup qualifiers: Argentina, Brazil slump as Uruguay soar

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World Cup qualifiers: Argentina, Brazil slump as Uruguay soar

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