In a remarkable showdown in El Alto, Bolivia clinched a coveted play-off position for the 2026 World Cup by defeating Brazil 1-0 on Wednesday.
The thrilling match, held at an altitude of 4,150 metres, saw Miguel Terceros score the decisive penalty just before half-time, marking a significant milestone for the Bolivian team.
The crucial victory was made even sweeter for Bolivia as it capitalised on Venezuela’s unexpected home defeat to Colombia, which ended in a staggering 6-3 loss. With this outcome, Bolivia climbed to seventh place in the final standings of the South American qualifying rounds, overtaking Venezuela and securing their place in the upcoming continental play-offs.
Bolivia’s coach, Oscar Villegas, expressed his delight following the match, stating, “We’re very happy, but we need to keep our feet on the ground, knowing that we have to keep fighting.” The Bolivian side is now set to compete in a six-team play-off tournament scheduled for March, reportedly to be hosted in Mexico, where two teams will earn a spot in the prestigious World Cup event.
This victory is particularly significant for Bolivia, as they have not participated in the World Cup finals since their group-stage exit in 1994 in the United States. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, the Bolivian squad remains hopeful of achieving World Cup glory.
