Bolivia achieved a stunning 1-0 victory over Brazil on the final matchday of the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. This win secured Bolivia a place in the inter-confederation playoffs later this year, marking their first opportunity to compete in the World Cup since 1994, the last tournament hosted in the United States.
The decisive moment came during first-half stoppage time when Miguel Terceros converted a penalty, giving Bolivia the lead and ultimately the victory. Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, opted for a rotated squad following a strong performance against Chile, where they won 3-0 just days prior.
Final Standings Overview
The final standings for the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualification revealed a competitive landscape. Argentina led the pack with 38 points and a goal difference of +21, followed by Ecuador, Colombia, and Uruguay, each securing their spots in the tournament. Brazil, despite their loss, finished with 28 points, placing them among the qualified teams. Bolivia’s playoff position came after they accumulated 20 points with a -18 goal difference.
The final standings are as follows:
– Argentina – 38 points (+21 GD) — QUALIFIED
– Ecuador – 29 points (+9 GD)* — QUALIFIED
– Colombia – 28 points (+10 GD) — QUALIFIED
– Uruguay – 28 points (+10 GD) — QUALIFIED
– Brazil – 28 points (+7 GD) — QUALIFIED
– Paraguay – 25 points (+4 GD) — QUALIFIED
– Bolivia – 20 points (-18 GD) — PLAYOFFS
– Venezuela – 18 points (-10 GD) — ELIMINATED
– Peru – 12 points (-15 GD) — ELIMINATED
– Chile – 11 points (-18 GD) — ELIMINATED
*Note: Ecuador faced a three-point deduction prior to qualification due to the use of a player with false passport information.
Match Details and Lineups
In the match against Brazil, Bolivia’s starting lineup featured goalkeeper Juan Carlos Lampe along with defenders Medina, Haquin, Morales, and Fernandez. The midfield included Vaca, Villamil, and Matheus, while the attacking front consisted of Paniagua, Terceros, and Monteiro.
Brazil’s squad, on the other hand, saw Alisson in goal and a backline featuring Vitinho, Ribeiro, Bruno, and C. Henrique. Their midfield included Santos, Guimaraes, and Paqueta, with an attacking trio of Lino, L. Henrique, and Richarlison.
This unexpected defeat for Brazil raises questions about their preparation for the upcoming tournament, while Bolivia celebrates a remarkable achievement as they look ahead to the playoffs. The excitement surrounding this victory has reignited hopes for Bolivian football as they aim for a place in the World Cup.
