World Cup qualifiers: Rodriguez snatches draw for Colombia

James Rodriguez struck in the second half to give Colombia a 1-1 draw away against Chile in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Thursday as the hosts dropped their first points of the South American campaign.

Chile appeared to be on their way to a third straight win in the group when Arturo Vidal headed them in front on the stroke of halftime. Rodriguez, returning after missing the opening games through injury last month, had a subdued match until he levelled midway through the second half from one of several chances set up by the dangerous Luis Muriel.

South American champions Chile, unbeaten in their last 10, have seven points from three games and Colombia, quarter-finalists at the last World Cup, have four.

At the other end, Jackson Martinez and debutant Daniel Torres both went close for Colombia, who were beaten 3-0 in Uruguay in their previous outing.

Ecuador beat Uruguay 2-1 for best start to qualifiers

Ecuador beat Uruguay on Thursday to top the South American World Cup qualifying group after three games but Brazil and Argentina must wait after their much anticipated clash was postponed because of heavy rain.

Ecuador won 2-1 to record their third consecutive win and their best start to the qualifying phase.

Goals by Felipe Caicedo and Fidel Martinez gave the Andean side, who began with a shock 2-0 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires last month, the three points in Quito after Edinson Cavani had scored an equaliser for Uruguay.

Brazil are sixth in the 10-team group, while Argentina are eighth. Four teams qualify automatically and a fifth goes into a play-off.

Bolivia, who lost their first two matches, lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with a 4-2 win over Venezuela. Striker Rodrigo Ramallo scored twice, midfielder Juan Arce converted a penalty and Rudy Cardozo hit their fourth in the second half.