Colombia delivered a dominant performance, edging closer to the 2026 World Cup qualification with a 4-0 victory over Chile in Barranquilla on Tuesday. Goals from Davinson Sanchez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Duran, and Luis Sinisterra secured the win, keeping Colombia in second place in the CONMEBOL standings, behind world champions Argentina.
Colombia played in a special retro white kit, celebrating the Colombian Football Federation’s centenary, featuring a bold hoop design in the national flag’s colours. The stylish performance matched the eye-catching kit, as Nestor Lorenzo’s side dismantled a struggling Chilean team, which remains at the bottom of the ten-team qualifying group.
Defender Davinson Sanchez opened the scoring in the 34th minute, heading in from a James Rodriguez corner after Jhon Lucumi nodded the ball towards goal. Colombia thought they had doubled their lead just before half-time when Luis Diaz set up Cordoba, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Chile’s defensive errors cost them again seven minutes into the second half when Benjamin Kusevic lost possession, allowing James Rodriguez to set up Diaz for Colombia’s second goal. Rodriguez came close with a header, while Diaz narrowly missed the target with a powerful shot as Colombia continued to dominate.
Substitute Jhon Duran made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, capitalising on another Chilean mistake. After Sinisterra intercepted a loose ball in midfield, he broke forward and set up Duran, who finished confidently. Sinisterra then sealed the win in stoppage time, scoring at the second attempt after a VAR review overturned an offside call.
Meanwhile, Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria inspired a 2-1 comeback victory over Venezuela, boosting his side’s qualification hopes. Venezuela initially took the lead in the 25th minute when Jon Aramburu finished a pass from Yeferson Soteldo. However, Sanabria, brought on at half-time, levelled for Paraguay by sliding in to connect with Junior Alonso’s cross.
Sanabria clinched the winner in the 74th minute, leading a counter-attack and finishing with a close-range header, lifting Paraguay to sixth place and within reach of an automatic qualification spot.
