1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
{{Infobox international football competition
| tourney_name = 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
| dates = {{nowrap|24 April 1996 – 16 November 1997}}
| num_teams = 9
| confederations = 1
| matches = 72
| goals = 184
| attendance = {{#expr:6839 + 60000 + 31600 + 49750 +41500 + 44127 + 8074 + 43345 +74905 + 36169 + 43675 + 43822 +36889 + 48304 + 34000 + 65500 +60000 + 45000 + 30000 + 45000 +43173 + 31036 + 31002 + 73547 +45000 + 25000 + 59970 + 42630 +7981 + 39968 + 62000 + 35373 +18000 + 41908 + 47000 + 32000 +44372 + 42299 + 37000 + 37297 +42034 + 62300 + 34101 + 22172 +42225 + 56069 + 37200 + 3352 +75617 + 30000 + 31489 + 4729 +48000 + 27874 + 35000 + 75143 +45000 + 25912 + 12000 + 10000 +73644 + 34721 + 35000 + 40341 +52000 + 74219 + 35000 + 14568 +40000 + 4000 + 30000 + 7477}}
| top_scorer = {{fbicon|CHI}} Iván Zamorano
{{nowrap|(12 goals)}}
| nextseason = 2002
| prevseason = 1994
}}
{{Qualification for championships (CONMEBOL)}}
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the South American zone (CONMEBOL). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification.
A total of 10 CONMEBOL teams entered the competition. The South American zone was allocated 5 places (out of 32) in the final tournament. Brazil, the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 4 spots open for competition between 9 teams.
This was the first World Cup qualifying competition to involve all of the yet-unqualified teams in the confederation playing against each other home and away to decide places in the tournament, a format that was replicated for subsequent World Cup qualifying competitions between CONMEBOL members.
Standings
|section=Final standings
|res_col_header=Q
|team1=ARG|name_ARG={{fb|ARG|1861}}|short_ARG={{fbicon|ARG|1861}}
|team2=PAR|name_PAR={{fb|PAR|1990}}|short_PAR={{fbicon|PAR|1990}}
|team3=COL|name_COL={{fb|COL}}|short_COL={{fbicon|COL}}
|team4=CHI|name_CHI={{fb|CHI}}|short_CHI={{fbicon|CHI}}
|team5=PER|name_PER={{fb|PER}}|short_PER={{fbicon|PER}}
|team6=ECU|name_ECU={{fb|ECU|1900}}|short_ECU={{fbicon|ECU|1900}}
|team7=URU|name_URU={{fb|URU}}|short_URU={{fbicon|URU}}
|team8=BOL|name_BOL={{fb|BOL}}|short_BOL={{fbicon|BOL}}
|team9=VEN|name_VEN={{fb|VEN|1930}}|short_VEN={{fbicon|VEN|1930}}
|win_ARG=8|draw_ARG=6|loss_ARG=2|gf_ARG=23|ga_ARG=13
|win_PAR=9|draw_PAR=2|loss_PAR=5|gf_PAR=21|ga_PAR=14
|win_COL=8|draw_COL=4|loss_COL=4|gf_COL=23|ga_COL=15
|win_CHI=7|draw_CHI=4|loss_CHI=5|gf_CHI=32|ga_CHI=18
|win_PER=7|draw_PER=4|loss_PER=5|gf_PER=19|ga_PER=20
|win_ECU=6|draw_ECU=3|loss_ECU=7|gf_ECU=22|ga_ECU=21
|win_URU=6|draw_URU=3|loss_URU=7|gf_URU=18|ga_URU=21
|win_BOL=4|draw_BOL=5|loss_BOL=7|gf_BOL=18|ga_BOL=21
|win_VEN=0|draw_VEN=3|loss_VEN=13|gf_VEN=8|ga_VEN=41
|show_matches=y
|match_ARG_BOL=3–1
|match_ARG_CHI=1–1
|match_ARG_COL=1–1
|match_ARG_ECU=2–1
|match_ARG_PAR=1–1
|match_ARG_PER=2–0
|match_ARG_URU=0–0
|match_ARG_VEN=2–0
|match_BOL_ARG=2–1
|match_BOL_CHI=1–1
|match_BOL_COL=2–2
|match_BOL_ECU=2–0
|match_BOL_PAR=0–0
|match_BOL_PER=0–0
|match_BOL_URU=1–0
|match_BOL_VEN=6–1
|match_CHI_ARG=1–2
|match_CHI_BOL=3–0
|match_CHI_COL=4–1
|match_CHI_ECU=4–1
|match_CHI_PAR=2–1
|match_CHI_PER=4–0
|match_CHI_URU=1–0
|match_CHI_VEN=6–0
|match_COL_ARG=0–1
|match_COL_BOL=3–0
|match_COL_CHI=4–1
|match_COL_ECU=1–0
|match_COL_PAR=1–0
|match_COL_PER=0–1
|match_COL_URU=3–1
|match_COL_VEN=1–0
|match_ECU_ARG=2–0
|match_ECU_BOL=1–0
|match_ECU_CHI=1–1
|match_ECU_COL=0–1
|match_ECU_PAR=2–1
|match_ECU_PER=4–1
|match_ECU_URU=4–0
|match_ECU_VEN=1–0
|match_PAR_ARG=1–2
|match_PAR_BOL=2–1
|match_PAR_CHI=2–1
|match_PAR_COL=2–1
|match_PAR_ECU=1–0
|match_PAR_PER=2–1
|match_PAR_URU=3–1
|match_PAR_VEN=1–0
|match_PER_ARG=1–1
|match_PER_BOL=2–1
|match_PER_CHI=2–1
|match_PER_COL=1–1
|match_PER_ECU=1–1
|match_PER_PAR=1–0
|match_PER_URU=2–1
|match_PER_VEN=4–1
|match_URU_ARG=0–0
|match_URU_BOL=1–0
|match_URU_CHI=1–0
|match_URU_COL=1–1
|match_URU_ECU=5–3
|match_URU_PAR=0–2
|match_URU_PER=2–0
|match_URU_VEN=3–1
|match_VEN_ARG=2–5
|match_VEN_BOL=1–1
|match_VEN_CHI=1–1
|match_VEN_COL=0–2
|match_VEN_ECU=1–1
|match_VEN_PAR=0–2
|match_VEN_PER=0–3
|match_VEN_URU=0–2
|col_Q=green1|text_Q=1998 FIFA World Cup
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q
|update=complete|source={{cite web |title=FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) 1998 - football, table and standings |url=https://soccer365.me/competitions/741/1998/ |website=soccer365.me |access-date=13 May 2024}}
}}
Matches
=Matchday 1=
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Uruguay
|date = 24 April 1996
|time = 19:15 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 0–2
|report = [https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1996sa.html International Matches 1996 South America]
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = Otero {{goal|54}}
Poyet {{goal|71}}
|stadium = Estadio Brígido Iriarte, Caracas
|attendance = 6,839
|referee = Alberto Tejada Noriega (Peru)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Peru
|date = 24 April 1996
|time = 20:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 4–1
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 = Hurtado {{goal|54||88}}
Tenorio {{goal|65}}
Gavica {{goal|78}}
|goals2 = Palacios {{goal|62}}
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil
|attendance = 60,000
|referee = Julio Matto Estoceres (Uruguay)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Paraguay
|date = 24 April 1996
|time = 20:10 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 = Asprilla {{goal|53}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 31,600
|referee = Javier Castrilli (Argentina)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Bolivia
|date = 24 April 1996
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 3–1
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = Ortega {{goal|8||18}}
Batistuta {{goal|59}}
|goals2 = Baldivieso {{goal|42}}
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 49,750
|referee = Mario Sánchez Yanten (Chile)}}
=Matchday 2=
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Argentina
|date = 2 June 1996
|time = 11:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 2–0
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 = Montaño {{goal|51}}
Hurtado {{goal|89}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito
|attendance = 41,500
|referee = Armando Perez Hoyos (Colombia)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Uruguay v Paraguay
|date = 2 June 1996
|time = 15:30 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 0–2
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = Arce {{goal|10}}
Rojas {{goal|88}}
|stadium = Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
|attendance = 44,127
|referee = Marcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Chile
|date = 2 June 1996
|time = 17:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Guerra {{goal|7}}
|goals2 = Margas {{goal|89}}
|stadium = Estadio La Carolina, Barinas
|attendance = 8,074
|referee = Epifanio Gonzalez (Paraguay)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Colombia
|date = 2 June 1996
|time = 16:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 = Reynoso {{goal|47}}
|goals2 = Aristizábal {{goal|60}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Lima
|attendance = 43,345
|referee = Alfredo Rodas (Ecuador)}}
=Matchday 3=
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Ecuador
|date = 6 July 1996
|time = 18:30 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 4–1
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = Zamorano {{goal|27||86}}
Salas {{goal|75}}
Estay {{goal|83}}
|goals2 = Aguinaga {{goal|73}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Santiago
|attendance = 74,905
|referee = Pablo Peña (Bolivia)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Uruguay
|date = 7 July 1996
|time = 15:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 3–1
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 = Asprilla {{goal|7}}
Valderrama {{goal|20}}
De Ávila {{goal|78}}
|goals2 = Cedrés {{goal|57}}
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 36,169
|referee = Ruben Ruscio (Argentina)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Argentina
|date = 7 July 1996
|time = 15:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 0–0
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Lima
|attendance = 43,675
|referee = Wilson de Souza Mendonça (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Venezuela
|date = 7 July 1996
|time = 16:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 6–1
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 = Sandy {{goal|4}}
Etcheverry {{goal|41|pen.}}
Baldivieso {{goal|61}}
Coimbra {{goal|67}}
Suarez {{goal|78}}
Paniagua {{goal|85}}
|goals2 = Tortolero {{goal|65|pen.}}
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 43,822
|referee = Jose Luis da Rosa (Uruguay)}}
=Matchday 4=
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Venezuela
|date = 1 September 1996
|time = 11:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 = Aguinaga {{goal|4}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito
|attendance = 36,889
|referee = Carlos Robles (Chile)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Peru
|date = 1 September 1996
|time = 15:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 0–0
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 48,304
|referee = Oscar Alvarenga (Paraguay)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Chile
|date = 1 September 1996
|time = 16:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 4–1
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Asprilla {{goal|3||31||47}}
Bermúdez {{goal|43}}
|goals2 = Zamorano {{goal|56|pen.}}
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 34,000
|referee = Sidrack Marinho dos Santos (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Paraguay
|date = 1 September 1996
|time = 18:15 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 = Batistuta {{goal|27}}
|goals2 = Chilavert {{goal|42}}
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 65,500
|referee = Antônio Pereira da Silva (Brazil)}}
=Matchday 5=
{{footballbox
|id= Uruguay v Bolivia
|date = 8 October 1996
|time = 20:30 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = Peña {{goal|64|o.g.}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
|attendance = 60,000
|referee = Paolo Borgosano (Venezuela)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Colombia
|date = 9 October 1996
|time = 11:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 0–1
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = Asprilla {{goal|72}}
|stadium = Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito
|attendance = 45,000
|referee = Horacio Elizondo (Argentina)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Argentina
|date = 9 October 1996
|time = 20:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 2–5
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 = Savarese {{goal|7}}
Dudamel {{goal|87}}
|goals2 = Ortega {{goal|35}}
Sorín {{goal|68}}
Simeone {{goal|77}}
Morales {{goal|86}}
Albornoz {{goal|90+1}}
|stadium = Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal
|attendance = 30,000
|referee = Eduardo Dluzniewski (Uruguay)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Chile
|date = 9 October 1996
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Gamarra {{goal|24}}
Rivarola {{goal|63}}
|goals2 = Margas {{goal|22}}
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 45,000
|referee = Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)}}
=Matchday 6=
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Colombia
|date = 10 November 1996
|time = 15:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 2–2
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 = Sandy {{goal|15}}
Moreno {{goal|44}}
|goals2 = Serna {{goal|40|pen.}}
Rincón {{goal|54}}
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 43,173
|referee = Jose Villamonte (Peru)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Venezuela
|date = 10 November 1996
|time = 15:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 4–1
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 =Reynoso {{goal|4}}
Julinho {{goal|21}}
Palacios {{goal|49||83}}
|goals2 = Díaz {{goal|78}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Lima
|attendance = 31,036
|referee = René Ortubé (Bolivia)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Ecuador
|date = 10 November 1996
|time = 18:00 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = Benítez {{goal|24}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 31,002
|referee = Daniel Giménez (Argentina)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Uruguay
|date = 12 November 1996
|time = 21:30 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 = Salas {{goal|60}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Santiago
|attendance = 73,547
|referee = Angel Guevara (Ecuador)}}
=Matchday 7=
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Paraguay
|date = 15 December 1996
|time = 18:10 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 0–0
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 45,000
|referee = Jose Luis Parra (Uruguay)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Colombia
|date = 15 December 1996
|time = 16:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 0–2
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = Bermúdez {{goal|7}}
Valenciano {{goal|50}}
|stadium = Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal
|attendance = 25,000
|referee = Eduardo Gamboa (Chile)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Chile
|date = 15 December 1996
|time = 20:00 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Batistuta {{goal|76|pen.}}
|goals2 = Cornejo {{goal|53}}
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 59,970
|referee = Ubaldo Aquino (Paraguay)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Uruguay v Peru
|date = 15 December 1996
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 2–0
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 = Montero {{goal|2}}
Bengoechea {{goal|38}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
|attendance = 42,630
|referee = Felipe Paez (Colombia)}}
=Matchday 8=
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Paraguay
|date = 12 January 1997
|time = 11:30 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 0–2
|report = [https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1997sa.html International Matches 1997 South America]
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = Benítez {{goal|6}}
Enciso {{goal|62}}
|stadium = Estadio Guillermo Soto Rosa, Mérida
|attendance = 7,981
|referee = Ángel Sánchez (Argentina)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Ecuador
|date = 12 January 1997
|time = 15:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 2–0
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = Moreno {{goal|7}}
Etcheverry {{goal|12}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 39,968
|referee = Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Uruguay v Argentina
|date = 12 January 1997
|time = 19:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 0–0
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
|attendance = 62,000
|referee = Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Chile
|date = 12 January 1997
|time = 20:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Maestri {{goal|15}}
Palacios {{goal|34}}
|goals2 = Zamorano {{goal|88}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional (Lima), Lima
|attendance = 35,373
|referee = José Varela (Uruguay)}}
=Matchday 9=
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Uruguay
|date = 12 February 1997
|time = 17:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 4–0
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 = Aguinaga {{goal|6}}
Delgado {{goal|68||76}}
Chalá {{goal|87}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito
|attendance = 18,000
|referee = Javier Castrilli (Argentina)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Chile
|date = 12 February 1997
|time = 18:00 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Soria {{goal|28}}
|goals2 = González {{goal|44}}
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 41,908
|referee = Alberto Tejada Noriega (Peru)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Argentina
|date = 12 February 1997
|time = 17:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 0–1
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = López {{goal|10}}
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 47,000
|referee = Antônio Pereira da Silva (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Peru
|date = 12 February 1997
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 = Rivarola {{goal|12}}
Rojas {{goal|40}}
|goals2 = Pereda {{goal|33}}
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 32,000
|referee = Mario Sánchez Yanten (Chile)}}
=Matchday 10=
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Argentina
|date = 2 April 1997
|time = 18:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 = Sandy {{goal|8}}
Ochoaizpur {{goal|48}}
|goals2 = Gorosito {{goal|41|pen.}}
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 44,372
|referee = Sidrack Marinho dos Santos (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Ecuador
|date = 2 April 1997
|time = 20:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = Palacios {{goal|58}}
|goals2 = Aguinaga {{goal|78|pen.}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Lima
|attendance = 42,299
|referee = John Toro Rendón (Colombia)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Uruguay v Venezuela
|date = 2 April 1997
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 3–1
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 = De Los Santos {{goal|29}}
Montero {{goal|46}}
Otero {{goal|59}}
|goals2 = Castellín {{goal|55}}
|stadium = Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
|attendance = 37,000
|referee = René Ortubé (Bolivia)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Colombia
|date = 2 April 1997
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 = Gamarra {{goal|6}}
Soto {{goal|82}}
|goals2 = Serna {{goal|80|pen.}}
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 37,297
|referee = Wilson de Souza Mendonça (Brazil)}}
=Matchday 11=
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Venezuela
|date = 29 April 1997
|time = 21:15 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 6–0
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 = Zamorano {{goal|19||27||32||47||85}}
Reyes {{goal|66}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Santiago
|attendance = 42,034
|referee = Gilberto Alcalá (Mexico)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Ecuador
|date = 30 April 1997
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = Ortega {{goal|18}}
Crespo {{goal|30}}
|goals2 = Aguinaga {{goal|73}}
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 62,300
|referee = Félix Ramón Benegas Caballero (Paraguay)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Uruguay
|date = 30 April 1997
|time = 21:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 3–1
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 = Rojas {{goal|37}}
Cardozo {{goal|73|pen.}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOt2_rSCzYA|title = 1997 (April 30) Paraguay 3-Uruguay 1 (World Cup Qualifier).avi|website = YouTube}}
Soto {{goal|83}}
|goals2 = Silva {{goal|87}}
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 34,101
|referee = Antônio Pereira Da Silva (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Peru
|date = 30 April 1997
|time = 21:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 0–1
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = Pereda {{goal|62}}
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 22,172
|referee = Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
=Matchday 12=
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Chile
|date = 8 June 1997
|time = 11:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Graziani {{goal|43}}
|goals2 = Salas {{goal|53}}
|stadium = Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito
|attendance = 42,225
|referee = Benito Archundia (Mexico)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Peru
|date = 8 June 1997
|time = 18:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 2–0
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 = Crespo {{goal|44}}
Simeone {{goal|46}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 56,069
|referee = Claudio Vinicius Cerdeira (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Uruguay v Colombia
|date = 8 June 1997
|time = 15:30 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 = Silva {{goal|6}}
|goals2 = Ricard {{goal|47}}
|stadium = Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
|attendance = 37,200
|referee = Francisco Dacildo Mourao (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Bolivia
|date = 8 June 1997
|time = 16:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = Savarese {{goal|70}}
|goals2 = Castillo {{goal|80}}
|stadium = Estadio Luis Loreto Lira, Valera
|attendance = 3,352
|referee = Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
=Matchday 13=
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Colombia
|date = 5 July 1997
|time = 20:30 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 4–1
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 = Salas {{goal|16||26||41}}
Zamorano {{goal|90|pen.}}
|goals2 = Ricard {{goal|52}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Santiago
|attendance = 75,617
|referee = Paolo Borgozano (Venezuela)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Argentina
|date = 6 July 1997
|time = 18:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 1–2
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 = Acuña {{goal|59|pen.}}
|goals2 = Gallardo {{goal|30}}
Verón {{goal|41}}
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 30,000
|referee = Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Bolivia
|date = 6 July 1997
|time = 14:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = Carty {{goal|9}}
Soto {{goal|53}}
|goals2 = Cristaldo {{goal|56}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Lima
|attendance = 31,489
|referee = Wilson de Souza Mendonça (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Ecuador
|date = 6 July 1997
|time = 16:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = Miranda {{goal|75}}
|goals2 = Hurtado {{goal|55}}
|stadium = Estadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo
|attendance = 4,729
|referee = Arturo Angeles (USA)}}
=Matchday 14=
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Venezuela
|date = 20 July 1997
|time = 18:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 2–0
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 = Crespo {{goal|31}}
Paz {{goal|58}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 48,000
|referee = Wilson de Souza Mendonça (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Bolivia v Uruguay
|date = 20 July 1997
|time = 15:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 = Etcheverry {{goal|75}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
|attendance = 27,874
|referee = Arturo Brizio Carter (Mexico)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Ecuador
|date = 20 July 1997
|time = 15:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = de Ávila {{goal|83}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 35,000
|referee = Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Paraguay
|date = 20 July 1997
|time = 20:30 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 = Zamorano {{goal|9|pen.|51}}
|goals2 = Brizuela {{goal|61}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Santiago
|attendance = 75,143
|referee = Rafael Torrealba (Venezuela)}}
=Matchday 15=
{{footballbox
|id = Uruguay v Chile
|date = 20 August 1997
|time = 20:00 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|CHI}}
|goals1 = Otero {{goal|20}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
|attendance = 45,000
|referee = Antônio Pereira da Silva (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Bolivia
|date = 20 August 1997
|time = 21:15 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 3–0
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = De Ávila {{goal|1}}
Valderrama {{goal|30|pen.}}
Asprilla {{goal|76}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 25,912
|referee = Claudio Vinicius Cerdeira (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Paraguay
|date = 20 August 1997
|time = 11:30 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 = Aguinaga {{goal|54}}
Graziani {{goal|77}}
|goals2 = Báez {{goal|5}}
|stadium = Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito
|attendance = 12,000
|referee = Rodrigo Badilla (Costa Rica)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Venezuela v Peru
|date = 20 August 1997
|time = 18:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|VEN|1930}}
|score = 0–3
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 = Marengo {{goal|14}}
Julinho {{goal|54}}
Maestri {{goal|81}}
|stadium = Estadio La Carolina, Barinas
|attendance = 10,000
|referee = Peter Prendergast (Jamaica)}}
=Matchday 16=
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Argentina
|date = 10 September 1997
|time = 18:00 UTC−4
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 1–2
|team2 = {{fb|ARG}}
|goals1 = Salas {{goal|34}}
|goals2 = Gallardo {{goal|25}}
López {{goal|86}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Santiago
|attendance = 73,644
|referee = Francisco Mourão Dacildo (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Uruguay
|date = 10 September 1997
|time = 20:10 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 = Palacios {{goal|57}}
Carty {{goal|60}}
|goals2 = Recoba {{goal|43}}
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Lima
|attendance = 34,721
|referee = Esfandiar Baharmast (USA)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Colombia v Venezuela
|date = 10 September 1997
|time = 21:15 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 = Cabrera {{goal|68}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
|attendance = 35,000
|referee = Carlos Pimentel (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Bolivia
|date = 10 September 1997
|time = 21:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 2–1
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = Benítez {{goal|26}}
Gamarra {{goal|37}}
|goals2 = Suárez {{goal|58}}
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 40,341
|referee = Benito Archundia (Mexico)}}
=Matchday 17=
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Uruguay
|date = 12 October 1997
|time = 18:15 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 0–0
|team2 = {{fb|URU}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 52,000
|referee = Claudio Vinicius Cerdeira (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Peru
|date = 12 October 1997
|time = 21:15 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 4–0
|team2 = {{fb|PER}}
|goals1 = Salas {{goal|13||82||88}}
Reyes {{goal|58}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Santiago
|attendance = 74,219
|referee = Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Paraguay v Venezuela
|date = 12 October 1997
|time = 19:10 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAR|1990}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|VEN|1930}}
|goals1 = Torres {{goal|68}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
|attendance = 35,000
|referee = Esfandiar Baharmast (USA)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Ecuador v Bolivia
|date = 12 October 1997
|time = 16:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ECU|1900}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = Graziani {{goal|27}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil
|attendance = 14,568
|referee = Arturo Brizio Carter (Mexico)}}
=Matchday 18=
{{footballbox
|id = Argentina v Colombia
|date = 16 November 1997
|time = 19:30 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG}}
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|COL}}
|goals1 = Cáceres {{goal|69}}
|goals2 = Valderrama {{goal|20}}
|stadium = Estadio La Bombonera, Buenos Aires
|attendance = 40,000
|referee = Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Uruguay v Ecuador
|date = 16 November 1997
|time = 17:00 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|URU}}
|score = 5–3
|team2 = {{fb|ECU|1900}}
|goals1 = Saralegui {{goal|3||12}}
Abreu {{goal|48||52}}
Aguilera {{goal|63}}
|goals2 = Graziani {{goal|2||59||68}}
|stadium = Estadio Domingo Burgueño, Maldonado
|attendance = 4,000
|referee = Antonio Marrufo Mendoza (Mexico)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Peru v Paraguay
|date = 16 November 1997
|time = 15:00 UTC−5
|team1 = {{fb-rt|PER}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fb|PAR|1990}}
|goals1 = Soto {{goal|37}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Lima
|attendance = 30,000
|referee = Francisco Mourao Dacildo (Brazil)}}
----
{{footballbox
|id = Chile v Bolivia
|date = 16 November 1997
|time = 17:00 UTC−3
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CHI}}
|score = 3–0
|team2 = {{fb|BOL}}
|goals1 = Barrera {{goal|23}}
Salas {{goal|40}}
Carreño {{goal|84}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadio Nacional, Santiago
|attendance = 74,777
|referee = Wilson de Souza Mendonça (Brazil)}}
Qualified teams
The following five teams from CONMEBOL qualified for the final tournament.
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Team
! Qualified as ! Qualified on ! data-sort-type="number"|Previous appearances in FIFA World Cup1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| {{fb|BRA}} | {{sort|1|Defending champions}} | {{dts|17 July 1994}} | 15 (all) (1930, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994) |
| {{fb|ARG|1861}} | {{sort|2|Winners}} | {{dts|10 September 1997|addkey=2}} | 11 (1930, 1934, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994) |
| {{fb|PAR|1990}} | {{sort|3|Runners-up}} | {{dts|10 September 1997}} | 4 (1930, 1950, 1958, 1986) |
| {{fb|COL}} | {{sort|3|Third place}} | {{dts|10 September 1997|addkey=3}} | 3 (1962, 1990, 1994) |
| {{fb|CHI}} | {{sort|4|Fourth place}} | {{dts|16 November 1997}} | 6 (1930, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1982) |
:
Goalscorers
{{Goalscorers
|goals=184 |matches=72
|12 goals=
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Iván Zamorano
|11 goals=
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Marcelo Salas
|7 goals=
- {{fbicon|COL}} Faustino Asprilla
|6 goals=
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Álex Aguinaga
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Ariel Graziani
- {{fbicon|PER}} Roberto Palacios
|4 goals=
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Ariel Ortega
|3 goals=
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Gabriel Batistuta
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Hernán Crespo
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Marco Etcheverry
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Marco Sandy
- {{fbicon|COL}} Antony de Ávila
- {{fbicon|COL}} Carlos Valderrama
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Eduardo Hurtado
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Miguel Ángel Benítez
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Carlos Gamarra
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Arístides Rojas
- {{fbicon|URU}} Marcelo Otero
|2 goals=
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Marcelo Gallardo
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Claudio López
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Diego Simeone
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Julio Baldivieso
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Jaime Moreno
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Berthy Suárez
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Javier Margas
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Pedro Reyes
- {{fbicon|COL}} Jorge Bermúdez
- {{fbicon|COL}} Hamilton Ricard
- {{fbicon|COL}} Mauricio Serna
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Agustín Delgado
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Derlis Soto
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Catalino Rivarola
- {{fbicon|PER}} Germán Carty
- {{fbicon|PER}} Juan Reynoso Guzmán
- {{fbicon|PER}} Julinho
- {{fbicon|PER}} Flavio Maestri
- {{fbicon|PER}} José Pereda
- {{fbicon|PER}} Jorge Soto
- {{fbicon|URU}} Sebastián Abreu
- {{fbicon|URU}} Paolo Montero
- {{fbicon|URU}} Marcelo Saralegui
- {{fbicon|URU}} Darío Silva
- {{fbicon|VEN|1954}} Giovanni Savarese
|1 goal=
- {{fbicon|ARG}} José Albornoz
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Fernando Cáceres
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Néstor Gorosito
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Hugo Morales
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Pablo Paz
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Juan Pablo Sorín
- {{fbicon|ARG}} Juan Sebastián Verón
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Ramiro Castillo
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Milton Coimbra
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Luis Cristaldo
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Fernando Ochoaizpur
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Roly Paniagua
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Vladimir Soria
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Rodrigo Barrera
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Juan Carreño López
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Fernando Cornejo
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Fabián Estay
- {{fbicon|CHI}} Pedro González Vera
- {{fbicon|COL}} Víctor Aristizábal
- {{fbicon|COL}} Wilmer Cabrera
- {{fbicon|COL}} Freddy Rincón
- {{fbicon|COL}} Iván Valenciano
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Cléber Chalá
- {{fbicon|ECU}} José Gavica
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Iván Hurtado
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Alberto Montaño
- {{fbicon|ECU}} Máximo Tenorio
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Roberto Acuña
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Francisco Arce
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Richard Báez
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Hugo Brizuela
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} José Cardozo
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} José Luis Chilavert
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Julio César Enciso
- {{fbicon|PAR|1990}} Félix Ricardo Torres
- {{fbicon|PER}} Manuel Marengo
- {{fbicon|URU}} Carlos Aguilera
- {{fbicon|URU}} Pablo Bengoechea
- {{fbicon|URU}} Gabriel Cedrés
- {{fbicon|URU}} Gustavo Poyet
- {{fbicon|URU}} Álvaro Recoba
- {{fbicon|URU}} Gonzalo de los Santos
- {{fbicon|VEN|1954}} Rafael Castellín
- {{fbicon|VEN|1954}} Gerson Díaz
- {{fbicon|VEN|1954}} Rafael Dudamel
- {{fbicon|VEN|1954}} Dioni Guerra
- {{fbicon|VEN|1954}} Gabriel Miranda
- {{fbicon|VEN|1954}} Edson Tortolero
|1 own goal=
- {{fbicon|BOL}} Juan Manuel Peña (against Uruguay)
}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=25em}}
{{1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers}}
{{CONMEBOL World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1998 Fifa World Cup Qualification (Conmebol)}}