MONTEVIDEO (AFP) - World champions Brazil and Argentina hit out at defensive Colombia and Chile after failing to score in South American qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.
Group leaders Brazil never found a way through seventh-placed Colombia's packed midfield while Argentina found Chile just as water-tight.
"They're a skilful side and kept possession well so it was very frustrating," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.
"When one team doesn't want to play, you don't have a game. We tried everything but we couldn't break down their defence. They came looking for a point and they got it."
Parreira also criticised Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda for allowing Colombia to get away with a string of fouls.
"They could have had two or three yellow cards early on but they got away with it and that only encouraged them to to mark us very roughly," he said.
Ronaldo, who missed two good chances, admitted better finishing would have won the match.
"We dominated the whole game. They never put us in danger but we didn't take our chances," he said.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman admitted fifth-placed Chile had surprised him.
"They put under pressure in the first half and we survived some difficult moments," he said.
Argentina, second in the table, never produced the flowing football which saw them beat Uruguay 4-2 last Saturday.
"We just couldn't sustain any momentum, partly because of our opponents and partly because we our passing was below par," Pekerman added.
Bolivia and Uruguay played out another goalless draw while Paraguay were held 1-1 by Peru in Asuncion, leaving the group wide open.
Peru's Nolberto Solano cancelled out Carlos Parades' 27th minute goal from the penalty spot on 74 minutes.
Brazil, with five wins and five draws, remain top of the 10-nation group with 20 points, one more than Argentina who have been beaten once, by Brazil in June.
Paraguay can be joined in third place on 16 points if Ecuador beat Venezuela on Thursday in the week's final match.
The next round of matches is set for November 16-17 with Ecuador hosting Brazil, Argentina at home to Venezuela, Chila away to Peru, Bolivia at Colombia and Uruguay at home to Paraguay.
The top four qualify directly for the Germany finals while the fifth-placed team plays off against the Oceania winners.