Geography of South America world by drainage area—the Amazon River and the more southerly Paraná River. The other major river of this central lowland is the Orinoco River, which has a natural channel linking it with the Amazon. Most of this central lowland is sparsely populated because the soils are heavily leached, but in the south is the very fertile pampas of Argentina—one of the world's major food-producing regions where wheat and beef cattle are pre-eminent. The natural vegetation of the northern lowlands are either savanna in the northern "llanos" and southern "campos", or tropical rainforest throughout most of the Amazon basin. Efforts to
South American nations at the FIFA World Cup were at the Finals tournament for the first time since the 1998 competition. The South American teams performed strongly, with all five advancing to the knockout stages (four as group winners). In group A despite a red card being given to Uruguay substitute Nicolas Lodeiro in the second half, Uruguay were able to hold a "lacklustre" France to a 0–0 draw. Won 3-0 against South Africa and 1-0 against Mexico. The group winners, Uruguay, advanced to face the runners-up from Group B, Korea Republic. In group B Argentina won all the matches. As group winners, Argentina advanced to face Mexico