Venezuela, Caracas (AP) – Venezuela secured a 2-0 victory against Bolivia on Friday, enhancing its position in South America's 7th place World Cup Qualifications and its chances for intercontinental playoffs for next year’s tournament in North America.
Bolivian player Hector Cuerard found the net in the fifth minute following a careless pass to goalkeeper Guillermo Viscala that ended up in the goal. The hosts extended their lead in the 30th minute with a tally from Salomon London, Venezuela’s all-time top scorer, adding his 47th goal.
During the match at the Monumental Stadium in Venezuela’s eastern city, Bolivia failed to pose a threat to goalkeeper Rafael Romo, having lost four points and only playing against Venezuela three times.
“This victory is crucial for us, but we haven’t achieved anything yet,” stated Venezuelan midfielder Terrasco Segovia. “We must keep our momentum. We’re chasing our dreams. Tuesday is another final for us.”
Venezuela has remained unbeaten at home in this edition of the South American qualifying rounds, boasting four wins and four draws. Only Argentina has a perfect record on home soil.
In another match on Friday, Colombia and Peru ended in a 0-0 draw, keeping Brazil ahead in the rankings. This marked Colombia’s fifth consecutive match without a win.
Playing at Minas Stadium in Barranquilla, the hosts missed suspended striker Luis Diaz, who tallied six goals in the qualifiers. Jhon Córdoba and Rafael Santos Borré were also sidelined due to injuries.
World Cup Champion Argentina clinched their spot for 2026 in March, leading South American qualifying with 34 points from 15 games. Ecuador and Paraguay follow with 24 points each, though Ecuador holds a superior goal difference. Brazil is in fourth place with 22 points.
Uruguay and Colombia sit fifth and sixth with 21 points each, divided by goal difference. Venezuela, the only South American nation yet to partake in a World Cup, has accumulated 18 points.
Bolivia, still in the running for seventh place, currently has 14 points, while they are ten points shy of a World Cup berth.
Some teams can secure their World Cup spots in upcoming matches on Tuesday. Ecuador could attain a position with a win against Peru, while Brazil might also clinch a berth unless Venezuela adds points against Uruguay.
Colombia must defeat Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, in Buenos Aires before the final two rounds in September. Bolivia needs to triumph over Chile at home to keep their chances alive.
All 10 South American nations compete against each other away. The top six will progress directly to the finals next year.
The seventh South American team will enter the InterContinental Playoffs in March 2026, where six teams from North America will contend for the last two slots in the main tournament.
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Source: apnews.com