World Cup Qualifier: Must-win for Chile in 'Clasico del Pacifico'

Chile face a must-win showdown with fierce regional rivals Peru on Tuesday as the South American champions aim to make up lost ground after a stumbling start to their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign.

After a 3-0 thrashing by Ecuador in Quito on Thursday, the Chileans limped back to Santiago a full five points adrift of the qualifying places in South America's marathon battle for World Cup berths.

Chile, the dominant force in South America over the past two years with back-to-back wins in the 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas, still have plenty of time to turn their campaign around with nine games left.

But anything less than a win against Peru on Tuesday risks leaving them with a mountain to climb if they are to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

"We need to score goals, and we need to win because we're playing at home. Winning is the only option for us now," said Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz, who is still smarting from last week's drubbing by Ecuador.

Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, seen during a training session in Santiago, on October 8, 2016, ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifying football match against Peru (ANFP/AFP)