Asian and Caribbean upsets, tight battles in South America and a first-ever win for American Samoa were among the latest qualifying tales as the race for Brazil 2014 heated up.
With 2011 coming to a close, FIFA.com takes a look back at the opening rounds of the South American qualifiers for Brazil 2014, in which coaching casualties, upsets and sumptuous goals all featured.
A lone goal from Oswaldo Vizcarrondo lifted Venezuela equal top in Brazil 2014 qualifying alongside Uruguay, and also Argentina who defeated Colombia earlier in the evening.
One point separates the top five teams in the South American Zone, with Argentina lying second after Lionel Messi helped them conjure up a win in Colombia.
Jose Rojas has said he will be looking for victory over Paraguay tomorrow as Chile look to bounce back from defeat to Uruguay, while Ecuador hope to do similar against Peru.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez turned in a stunning virtuoso performance by scoring all four goals as Uruguay overwhelmed Chile 4-0, while Argentina could only draw with Bolivia and Paraguay beat Ecuador.
