1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)-Cedar Herald Index

Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the South American Zone (CONMEBOL). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification.

A total of 10 CONMEBOL teams entered the competition. The South American zone was allocated 3.5 places (out of 16) in the final tournament. Argentina, the hosts, qualified automatically, leaving 2.5 spots open for competition between 9 teams.

1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)

Format

There would be two rounds of play: First Round: The 9 teams were divided into 3 groups of 3 teams each. The teams would play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would advance to the Final Round. Final Round: The 3 teams would play against each other once in a neutral venue. The group winner and runner-up would qualify. The third-placed team would advance to the UEFA / CONMEBOL Intercontinental Play-off.

1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)

First round

Group 1

Brazil advanced to the Final Round.

1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)

Group 2

Bolivia advanced to the Final Round.

Group 3

Peru advanced to the Final Round.

Final round

Brazil and Peru qualified. Bolivia advanced to the UEFA / CONMEBOL Intercontinental Play-off.

Inter-confederation play-offs

Qualified teams

The following three teams from CONMEBOL qualified for the final tournament.

1 Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.

Goalscorers

5 goals

Zico

4 goals

Roberto Dinamite

Juan Carlos Oblitas

3 goals

Miguel Aguilar

Carlos Aragonés

Porfirio Jiménez

José Velásquez

2 goals

Gilberto Alves

Marinho Chagas

Elías Figueroa

Carlos Jara Saguier

Teófilo Cubillas

Dario Pereyra

Nitder Pizzani

1 goal

Oviedo Mezza

Toninho Cerezo

Marcelo Oliveira

Rivellino

Sergio Ahumada

Osvaldo Castro

Miguel Ángel Gamboa

Eduardo Vilarete

José Fabián Paz y Miño

Carlos José Báez

Alejandro Luces

Juan José Muñante

Percy Rojas

Hugo Sotil

Washington Oliveira

Vicente Flores

Rafael Iriarte

1 own goal

Windsor del Llano (playing against Hungary) José Domingo Insfrán (playing against Brazil)