Morelos to miss Colombia World Cup qualifier against Venezuela

BOGOTA -- Striker Alfredo Morelos has been ruled out of Colombia's decisive 2022 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela because of a quadriceps strain, the Colombian Football Federation said on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Rangers player missed Colombia's 3-0 home win over Bolivia in Barranquilla on Friday but had been expected to be fit in time for Tuesday's final match day of the South American qualifying group.

"Medical tests have confirmed that a muscle injury in the left thigh ... will prevent him from playing in the next qualifier," read a statement on the federation's official website.

Colombia will also be without Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado for the clash in the eastern Venezuelan city of Puerto Ordaz because of suspension.

The Cafeteros are currently sixth in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 20 points from 17 matches.

They must win against Venezuela and rely on favorable results from other matches to have any chance of featuring in football's showpiece tournament, to be played in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.

The top four South American teams will automatically qualify while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.