South America was divided into three qualification groups, the winners going to the finals. Given the small number of participating countries, the formula perhaps was not the best possible, but that was the chosen one, entirely favouring the leading countries. Without Argentina, it was quite predictable qualification stage.
Group 8. The easiest group – Bolivia and Venezuela were not a problem even for a very weak Brazil, that was sure.
1.Brazil^ 4 8 4 0 0 11- 2
2.Bolivia 4 2 1 0 3 5- 6
3.Venezuela 4 2 1 0 3 1- 9
This is formation which faced England in December 1981 – already qualified and preparing for the finals. Tele Santana’s team already was much talked about and here it was only getting fine tuning. A team expected to thrill and very likely win the coming world finals. Problems? There were some, but so far they were not a big matter of discussion outside Brazil.
Group 9. The toughest group in South America – Peru and Uruguay were expected to fight for the spot, but Colombia was able to stand its ground too. Uruguay, given their performance at the Mondialito, was the likely winner. Group games fulfilled expectations only in part: Colombia was not the dark horse and the race was between Peru and Uruguay. The decisive match happened to be in Montevideo, where 2 first time goals gave the victory to the visitors, Peru. The next match in Lima was mere calculation: Peru kept Uruguay to a goalless tie and became unreachable, no matter how the last game – Uruguay – Colombia – ended.
1.Peru^ 4 6 2 2 0 5- 2
2.Uruguay 4 4 1 2 1 5- 5
3.Colombia 4 2 0 2 2 4- 7
Peru – to the finals for a second consecutive championship. Strong 1970s and excellent start of the 1980s.
Group 10. Ecuador was seen as an outsider, so a battle between Chile and Paraguay. Hard to predict – Chilean football was rising or so it seemed; Paraguay was the reigning South American champion. Yet, neither country was seen as particularly strong and the second tier South American countries traditionally were not consistent – what happened 2-3 years ago hardly ever means the same country would have a strong team now. Momentary form ruled. Chile got a bust right after the first group match: Ecuador won over visiting Paraguay 1-0. Two games and less than a month later everything was more or less finished: Chile prevailed over Paraguay in Asuncion 1-0 – what was left was 2 home games for Chile. Only a miracle would have changed things. No miracle occurred.
Chile to the finals. By now, the political antagonism mellowed done, so unlike 1973-74, the Chilean team was seen more in terms of the sport – it was not much, depending largely on veterans, who played at the 1974 World Cup without any memorable moment.