September 10 – Bolivia stunned five-time world champions Brazil 1-0 in World Cup qualifying to claim a spot in the playoffs for the 2026 tournament.
Miguel Terceros’s penalty conversion in the first half was enough for Bolivia to defeat Brazil at home for the first time since 2019, finish seventh in the qualifying table ahead of Venezuela and secure a playoff ticket. The Venezuelans lost 3-6 at home to Colombia.
The play-off tournament, featuring six nations, will take place in March and determine the final two qualifiers for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which will feature 48 finalists for the first time.
The Bolivians last participated in the World Cup ini1994 when they lost 2-0 to Germany in the tournament’s opening game in Chicago and finished bottom of Group C.
The Brazilians suffered at the altitude of 4,100 metres in El Alto to slump to their first defeat under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, and wrap up their worst ever qualifying campaign with six defeats in 18 matches and a fifth-place finish.
“On the positive side of today’s game, I saw the effort of the team, of the players, because it’s very difficult to play here,” said Ancelotti.
“That was already known. The players put in a tremendous effort; the game was very complicated, difficult. From a technical perspective, from a physical perspective.”
Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]