MONTEVIDEO: Bolivia kept their World Cup dream alive by snatching a play-off place with a 1-0 victory over Brazil in El Alto, taking advantage of Venezuela’s home defeat to Colombia, while Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat by Ecuador in the final round of South America’s 2026 qualifiers on Tuesday.

Miguel Terceros’s penalty on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference for Bolivia against the five-time world champions, in a match played 4,150 metres above sea level — a result which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side drop to fifth in the standings.

The victory dragged Bolivia above Venezuela into seventh place in the final standings of South American qualifying, earning them a berth in next year’s intercontinental continental play-offs for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“We’re very happy, but we need to keep our feet on the ground, knowing that we have to keep fighting,” said Bolivian coach Oscar Villegas.

Bolivia will be joined in the playoffs by two teams from CONCACAF as well as one each from the African, Asian and Oceania confederations in the hunt for two places at the World Cup.

The playoffs will take place in Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico in March’s international window.

Bolivia are hoping to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since a group-stage exit from the 1994 edition in the USA.

Their victory on Tuesday sparked wild celebrations on the streets of the major city of La Paz, which neighbours El Alto.

Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay were the most recent South American teams to qualify for next year’s World Cup last week and the final round of the qualifiers was meant to decide the team to advance to the international playoff.

Venezuela, who were hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, held a one-point lead over Bolivia heading into the last round of matches, but were beaten 6-3 at home by Colombia with a big night from striker Luis Suarez, who scored four goals.

Suarez, a Sporting Club player, scored in the 42nd, 50th, 59th and 67th minutes. Yerry Mina in the 10th and Jhon Cordoba in the 75 also scored.

While Ecuador and reigning champions Argentina had already qualified for the World Cup, there was no shortage of intensity in their match in Guayaquil.

Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi was sent off in the 31st minute and the hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage when Enner Valencia scored a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Ecuador were also reduced to 10 men when Moises Caicedo was dismissed in the 50th minute, but they held firm to claim victory and go second in the table.

Despite the loss, Argentina retained top spot in the standings with 39 points, nine ahead of the Ecuadorians, who finished second

Lionel Messi, who played his last official match at home last Thursday, did not suit up.

Uruguay finishing qualifying in fourth place following a 0-0 draw with Chile the in Santiago, while Matias Galarza’s strike gave Paraguay a 1-0 win over Peru in Lima, leaving them in sixth place.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2025