Venezuela boosted their World Cup qualifying hopes with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia in Maturin.

Salomon Rondon was on target as La Vinotinto moved within three points of the top six with three games remaining in the CONMBEOL qualifying section.

The hosts broke the deadlock in bizarre fashion after just five minutes at Estadio Monumental de Maturin, with the ball trickling into the Bolivia net after goalkeeper Guillermo Vizcarra failed to control a backpass from team-mate Hector Cuellar.

Venezuela doubled their lead on the half-hour mark, as Rondon fired home his record-extending 47th international goal.

Josef Martinez and Jon Aramburu also went close after the break, but the two-goal cushion was enough to move Fernando Batista's side four points clear of their opponents in the table.

They also closed the gap on sixth-place Colombia to just three points, after Nestor Lorenzo's side were held to a goalless draw by Peru in Barranquilla.

Aside from James Rodriguez's early chance, it was the visitors who generated the greater attacking threat, with Edison Flores and Renato Tapia both going close to breaking the deadlock.

Colombia applied the pressure towards the end of the contest, but were unable to register a single shot on target as their winless streak extended to five games.

Data Debrief: Free-scoring Venezuela close gap on toothless Colombia

Venezuela continued their recent dominance over Bolivia, having now prevailed in each of their last seven meetings in home World Cup qualifiers. 

La Vinotinto have now found the net in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches; their longest streak since 2009 (also seven games).

Meanwhile, Colombia failed to attempt a shot on target for the first time in a World Cup qualifier since November 2016 against Argentina.

Los Cafeteros are currently on their longest winless streak in the CONMEBOL qualifying section since a run of seven between October 2021 and February 2022. 

As for their opponents, Peru ended a run of six straight World Cup qualifying defeats away from home.