Thursday night was a busy night in South America. Colombia, as well as Uruguay and Paraguay, all secured their tickets to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada next summer.
Colombia confirmed their place with a 3-0 win at home to Bolivia, the same score that Uruguay beat Peru by. In fact, four of the five games played on Thursday night were won 3-0 by the side playing at home.
The three goalscorers against Bolivia were James Rodriguez, Jhon Cordoba and Juan Quintero – three players now into their 30’s, but still providing the goods.
It will in particular be great to see Rodriguez at the World Cup next summer, 12 years after his sublime golden boot winning tournament at Brazil 2014. He is currently playing his club football in Mexico, so he could be featuring in games played in familiar surroundings.
Although their form has faltered over the last year or so, Colombia had been in sublime shape for the previous year, going on an unbeaten run that includes wins over Germany, Brazil and Spain.
They managed to reach the Copa America final, the first time they had done so since they won the tournament in 2021. They narrowly lost out to defending and world champions Argentina, who won 1-0 after extra time.
There is a lot of experience in this side. Most of their key players are at least 27 – with Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Daniel Munoz, Jhon Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and co.
Still, there is 25-year old Richard Rios and 21-year old Jhon Duran so there could still be plenty of intensity and energy injected into the side ahead of the World Cup.
Colombia currently sit in 5th place, with 25 points – which would have only been a play-off spot before the expansion from 32 teams to 48. With three teams all within three points ahead of them, it would have made the final set of games incredibly exciting under the previous format.
Despite their qualification being secured, they can still have an impact on qualifying. Their final game is away to Venezuela, who currently sit one point above Bolivia – who host Brazil – in the 7th place play off spot.
Venezuela are the only South American side to never play at a World Cup finals, with Bolivia featuring at the 1994 edition – also in the United States. It would be quite cool to see them at a World Cup for the first time ever.
Still, very excited to see Colombia next summer.
