A somewhat unexpected defeat for Colombia who suffered the first knockout of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Bolivia. At the end of the match, the technical commissioner Nestor Lorenzo he commented: “I’m proud of the team. We dominated the game and the chances, but we weren’t able to materialize them. Precision would have been important. Instead they had one chance and scored. We went ahead and didn’t succeed.
Bolivia’s goal? Goal errors happen on this type of pitch and in these playing conditions. Even with an extra man it wasn’t easy because in physical clashes they had an advantage in terms of physicality and adaptation. We always tried but the ball wouldn’t go in. We had many opportunities, very clear and the truth is that I congratulate my players who played to win.
We moved slowly because we were patient and we weren’t counting on that beautiful goal they scored, but I’m proud of my players. Lose without deserving? Yes, but in these conditions it is normal for these things to happen, that is, for the ball to arrive very quickly or for the touch not to be clean. But we made a great effort.”