Secure a Playoff Spot: Venezuela Faces Colombia in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

Colombia and Venezuela faced off in a high-stakes clash in the final round of the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at the Estadio Monumental de Maturin. While Colombia had already secured their direct qualification, all eyes were on Venezuela, who were battling to clinch the last intercontinental playoff spot. Venezuela entered the match sitting seventh in the qualification standings, holding a narrow one-point lead over Bolivia. With only the top six teams guaranteed direct entry and seventh place offering a playoff opportunity, the stakes could not have been higher for La Vinotinto. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with four wins, six draws, and seven losses in 17 matches, but a win against Colombia would guarantee their place in the inter-confederation playoffs. Anything less would leave their fate hinging on Bolivia’s result against Brazil. Colombia, on the other hand, approached the game with confidence, fresh off a dominant 3-0 victory over Bolivia that secured their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Although Los Cafeteros have struggled on the road during the qualifiers—winning just one of eight away fixtures (D4, L3)—they have a strong record against Venezuela, remaining unbeaten in their last eight encounters (five wins, three draws), including a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture in September 2023. Their attacking threat is spearheaded by the likes of , who has been instrumental throughout the campaign. Venezuela’s hopes rest heavily on veteran striker Salomon Rondon, the nation’s leading scorer in this qualifying cycle. Rondon has carried the offensive load with five goals, and alongside Jefferson Savarino and Josef Martinez, aims to maintain Venezuela’s strong home form—they remain unbeaten at home in several recent matches. Coach Fernando Batista enjoyed the advantage of a fully fit squad, with no injuries or suspensions disrupting his plans. Expected to start were Rafael Romo in goal, a defensive line including Jon Aramburu and Nahuel Ferraresi, and creative support from Eduard Bello and Miguel Navarro. Colombia’s coach Nestor Lorenzo had the option to recall Daniel Muñoz and Kevin Castaño from suspension, possibly adjusting his lineup to include Juan Fernando Quintero and Luis Suárez, but the core remained unchanged, with Diaz, Jhon Arias, and Cordoba leading the attack. The team aimed to maintain momentum and finish qualifiers on a high note, despite having already booked their World Cup spot. For fans in the United States, the match was broadcast via Fanatiz on a pay-per-view basis, with coverage also available on Televen and Venevision in Venezuela, and SBS On Demand in Australia. Due to geo-restrictions, many international viewers turned to VPN services to access their preferred streams. Historically, Venezuela has not beaten Colombia since the 2015 Copa America, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge. While Colombia played without pressure, their quality—featuring talents such as James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz—ensured Venezuela could not afford complacency. FourFourTwo’s prediction leaned towards a 1-1 draw, reflecting Colombia’s tendency for stalemates (three in their last four matches) and Venezuela’s desperation to secure at least a point. As the dust settled on the qualifiers, all attention shifted to whether Venezuela could finally break their winless run against their rivals and secure a playoff berth—or if Bolivia would upset the odds and overtake them at the last moment. For statistical analysis and further updates on the World Cup qualifying campaign, see the full rundown on .