Ben Brereton is refusing to give on his World Cup dream – despite his fourth goal for Chile coming in a losing cause.

Brereton scored a fine header to bring Chile level but ultimately couldn’t stop them falling to a 2-1 defeat to Argentina.

The result leaves them seventh in the South American qualification table, three points behind fourth-placed Uruguay who occupy the final World Cup qualifying spot, though a play-off spot should they finish fifth does remain up for grabs.

Brereton has been the bright spot of what has been a difficult qualification campaign for La Roja, this a seventh defeat in 15 matches.

The 22-year-old has four goals in 10 caps for Chile, three of which have come in the qualification campaign, and he will once again be a key man for La Roja when they face Bolivia on Tuesday.

Anything but a victory will likely end their hopes of reaching the finals in Qatar, but Brereton isn’t giving up hope.

He said: “Qualification is complicated, but we will give our best in the last three games that we have left.

“The fans were brilliant, they gave us a lot of support.

 

 

Brereton missed Rovers’ win over Middlesbrough on Monday after meeting up with the Chile national team and will also be absent for this weekend’s trip to Luton Town.

Tuesdays’ game in La Paz kicks off at 8pm UK time, with Brereton then travelling back to prepare for Rovers’ trip to Swansea City on February 5.