Uruguay draw with Argentina; Brazil clinch top spot; Paraguay beat Chile

In a show of solidarity ahead of their World Cup qualifier on Thursday, Uruguay’s Luis Suarez modeled a uniform with No. 20 on the front and Argentina’s Lionel Messi stood alongside him wearing No. 30.

The gesture by the Barcelona teammates came on the same day that the two nations — and possibly Paraguay and Chile, too — announced a proposal to jointly bid for the 2030 World Cup.

The match that followed on Thursday, however, barely matched the pregame excitement as the bitter rivals drew 0-0 in Montevideo, a result that did little for either team as they scramble to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Brazil have already advanced, but the other three automatic berths are wide open. One more team from the region can also advance via an intercontinental playoff.

Uruguay edged up to 24 points in seven games, and Argentina reached 23.

Tite’s Brazil pulled away from Ecuador with a pair of second-half goals to further pad their lead atop the standings and clinch the top spot outright.

Paulinho poked home from close range after the ball dropped to him following a corner kick.

Philippe Coutinho, who came on as a substitute amid an ongoing transfer saga with club team Liverpool, blasted home Brazil’s second after a clever flick and header from Gabriel Jesus found his teammate running in on goal.

Brazil have never lost a home World Cup qualifier and extended their unbeaten run to 53-games with the win.

Paraguay have not won in Santiago since 2007, but that all changed in a 3-0 victory against Chile that is a giant boost for the visitors and a major disappointment for La Roja.

Paraguay took the lead in the 23rd minute on an own-goal by Chile’s Arturo Vidal. It was a stunning header, flicked into the net — unfortunately for Vidal, it was the wrong net.

Victor Caceres made it 2-0 in the 54th and Richard Ortiz finished it off in second-half stoppage time.

Paraguay improved to 21 points and Chile stayed on 23.

Colombia struggled without injured forward James Rodriguez and suspended defender Yerry Mina and had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Venezuela.

Venezuela have no chance to reach next year’s World Cup, and the draw did not help Colombia, who now have 25 points in seven matches and have not won in Venezuela since 1996.