Bolivia's flight over Brazil's nest and Venezuela's epic tragedy!
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 10.09.25. | 10:30
La Verde beat the Selecao 1-0 in the last South American qualifying round and exploited La Vinotinto's 6-3 defeat to Colombia to secure their place in the inter-confederation play-offs!
Ahead of the last round in South American - or CONMEBOL, if you wish - qualifiers, the names of six direct passengers on the flight to the USA, Canada, and Mexico were known, as Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay had all sealed the deal before the ultimate showdown.
The only "mystery" was which team would end the competition in the seventh spot and secure its place in the inter-confederation play-offs - Venezuela or Bolivia.
In prospect, La Vinotinto had way better chances for success. They had a one-point edge over the rivals, a better goal difference, and were to face Colombia on the road, while Bolivia had to host Brazil.
However, the football deities once again played Venezuela, the only South American team that had never qualified for the World Cup!
💔 ¡Escenas que rompen el corazón! 😢⚽
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) September 10, 2025
Tras la derrota ante Colombia, los jugadores de Venezuela se quedaron en el campo esperando un milagro. 🌙🇻🇪
Pero este nunca llegó… Bolivia venció a Brasil y se quedó con el repechaje. 🇧🇴🔥🇧🇷
¿Crees que la Vinotinto merecía más? 🤔🌎✨ pic.twitter.com/mSfALH7W2x
In an unbelievable football night, Bolivia managed to bring Carlo Ancelotti's mighty Brazil to their knees and win 1-0 behind Miguelito's winner from the spot, while Salomon Rondon and Co. were thrashed at home by Colombia 6-3, leaving Venezuela empty-handed!
🇧🇴 The final whistle of Bolivia’s 1-0 home win against Brazil which saw the Andean nation snatch the CONMEBOL play-off spot for the 2026 World Cup! 🥹
— 📚 Dame Bola (& Tears at La Bombonera) (@BomboneraTears) September 10, 2025
Bolivia were reliant on Venezuela dropping points at home to Colombia, which they did: the match ended 🇻🇪 3-6 🇨🇴! pic.twitter.com/knpK9mcMJ6
La Vinotinto had the lead twice (1-0 and 2-1), but then Luis Suarez appeared - not THAT Luis Suarez! - and scored four goals between the 42nd and 67th minutes and sealed Venezuela's fate, leaving almost 52,000 people at Estadio Monumental de Maturin in despair!
Luis Suárez scores 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 for Colombia 🇨🇴 😳⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/aJ9mcJAXmK
— 433 (@433) September 10, 2025
This way, Bolivia became the second country to secure its spot in the inter-confederation play-offs after Oceania's representative, New Caledonia.
As for the rest of the results in the South American qualifiers, Argentina fell short in Ecuador (1-0), Chile salvaged a goalless draw against Uruguay at home, while Paraguay triumphed against Peru on the road (1-0).
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - SOUTH AMERICA
Wednesday
Ecuador - Argentina 1-0 (1-0)
/Valencia 45+13 pen/
Bolivia - Brazil 1-0 (1-0)
/Miguelito 45+4 pen/
Chile - Uruguay 0-0
Peru - Paraguay 0-1 (0-0)
/Galarza 78/
Venezuela - Colombia 3-6 (2-2)
/Segovia 3, Josef Martinez 12, Rondon 76 - Mina 10, Suarez 42, 50, 59, 67, Cordoba 78/
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