South American qualifying for the 2018 World Cup has been nothing short of savage.

Unless you're from Brazil and Uruguay or a nation stewing in the bottom three, an excruciating final fixture awaits this week that could see huge footballing countries miss out on the plane to Russia.

The most obvious example proves Argentina who, after a stale 0-0 at home to Peru, have even dropped out of the designated play-off place in the table.

There is now a very real possibility of arguably the greatest player in the game - Lionel Messi - not even reaching the group stages. The Barcelona star will need to channel his boundless talent for the trip to Ecuador to drag his faltering teammates over the line.

Meanwhile, Colombia had the chance to secure their place in Russia against Paraguay and just needed one point against the seventh place side to qualify.

Coupled with home advantage in Bogota, it all seemed a rather straight-forward task for a nation that impressed on their way to the quarter-finals in 2014.

That was until they decided to select regular starter David Ospina between the sticks.

The Arsenal number two is an accomplished shot stopper on his day with impressive delivery from the ground and out his hands. That being said, Gooners know more than most that Ospina is somewhat prone to mistakes.

And to say the 29-year-old had the game from hell against Paraguay would be putting it mildly.

With just three minutes left to play and Colombia leading 1-0, Ospina made a bold charge from goal to claim a Paraguayan free-kick from the half-way line. Not only did he fail to get any contact on the ball but repeatedly fell over like Bambi on ice in the aftermath.

Veteran Oscar Cardozo eventually capitalised and lashed home. 

Then, one minute into stoppage time, Antonio Sanabria stole all three points for the visitors by tapping home after Ospina's lame attempt at claiming a low delivery across the six-yard box.

Check out the two gaffes below:

The second error is made all the more painful, or amusing depending on allegiances, by the reaction of Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez.

It's perhaps no surprise that he'd be aggrieved at conceding a last minute winner but his goalkeeper's poor judgement sees this spill over into pure, animated rage.

Skip to 5:39 and take a look below:

Well, you can't exactly fault the man for passion.

Colombia travel away to Peru - who are just one point behind them - on Wednesday to try and secure their World Cup place at the second attempt. Hopefully for Opsina's sake, they avoid the same fate as Argentina against them.

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