Repechaje to the 2026 World Cup: how Conmebol quota was defined

Conmebol qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup had their final day with six selections already directly classified. Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia and Paraguay had secured their ticket, but there was still a prize in dispute: the Seventh place of The tablewhich grants access to Intercontinental Repechaje. Venezuela depended on its own result and Bolivia was obliged to beat him nothing more and nothing less than Brazilthen wait Good news from Maturín.

The fate of both selections was defined in two opposite scenarios and full of history. Venezuela received Colombia in the Monumental of Maturín, where he maintains a undefeated key that gave him hope. While Bolivia faced Brazil In the extreme height of El Alto, 4,150 meters above sea level.

The fight for repechage

The format of Conmebol qualifiers Rumbo to 2026 gave six direct places and left the seventh classified with the possibility of disputing a Intercontinental Repechaje in March 2026.

In that Repeat Six teams will face: one from South America, one from Asia, one from Africa, one from Oceania and two from Concacaf, playing two extra tickets for the World Cup.

After 17 dates, Venezuela occupied the seventh place with 18 points, while Bolivia was eighth with 17 units. A single point separated the two teams, which turned the last day into a true final.

Venezuela, owner of her destiny

Vinotinto depended on itself. If I beat Colombia in Maturín, I would ensure repechage, regardless of what happens with Bolivia. The undefeated in the Monumental of Maturín during these qualifiers was one of the great arguments in favor of Fernando ‘Bocha’ Batista team, which has turned the stadium into a true fort.

With a draw or defeat His future would be tied to the result in the high. A Bolivia victory against Brazil would move to Vinotinto to eighth place. With a balance of -7 compared to -19 that dragged Ramiro Vaca’s team, Even a green draw combined with a fall in Venezuela would continue to give Batista to the last ticket to the World Cup.

A film ending with two functions simultaneously

It all started in the worst way for Bolivia. To the three Mintuos de Game already won Venezuela in Maturín and the illusion seemed to last little in the high. Yerry Mina tied him at 10 ‘for Colombia, but within a few seconds Josef Martínez returned the advantage to Vinotinto.

In the last minutes, the panorama changed completely for those led by Oscar Villegas. At 42 ‘the Néstor Lorenzo team with so much from Luis Suárez already was drawn up already 45’, but in El Alto, a penalty arrived for the premises, which was transformed into Goal by Miguelito Third parties.

The green had no choice but to endure in the complement and wait for a help that comes from Maturín. And it arrived more than. Colombia had three other goals from Suárez, put 5-2 (ended 6-3) and Bolivia knew that everything was dependent.

Brazil He took confidence and controlled the game during the second part. His legs weighed for tiredness and, above all, because of the nerves of having a historical possibility so close.

Bolivia He knew how to suffer, he rested in a great night and He took out the intercontinental repechage ticketwhere the chance to return to a World Cup after 32 years.