TOP SIX PULL CLEAR

Rounds 13 and 14 in South America's World Cup qualifiers reinforced the outcome of the action towards the end of last year, when the six teams chasing an automatic place in 2026 broke away from the rest.

- Tim Vickery

But the games in March also exposed differences between the six as they start to build towards North America.

Argentina had already booked their World Cup place before they were able to celebrate in style, demolishing Brazil 4-1 in Buenos Aires. They shrugged off the absence of Lionel Messi (and Lautaro Martinez) with triumphs over both their traditional rivals - four days earlier they'd won 1-0 away to Uruguay. The emergence of playmaker Thiago Almada was a big plus, and though there are concerns about the lack of renewal of the defensive unit, coach Lionel Scaloni says that he will use the rest of the campaign to look at options. Eight points clear at the top of the table, he can certainly experiment from a position of strength.