Peru and Venezuela win at the end of the 15th qualifying round
The last matches of date 15 of the South American Qualifiers were held this Friday, the first was at the Metropolitan Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, in which the 'coffee growers' faced Peru and those led by Ricardo Gareca knew how to endure and score on the end.
Colombia was in fifth position and Peru in sixth before this match. Both had 17 points and Uruguay had climbed to fourth place adding 19, thanks to last Thursday's victory over Paraguay. For this reason, the meeting of Colombians and Peruvians was considered a duel of direct rivals.
In the same order of ideas, the game began with a wide domain of the locals who practically cornered the Peruvians with several scoring chances that Gallese stopped. Peru only had one in the entire first half, and thus they would go into the break with goalless equality.
In the second half, the Colombian team would continue with its initiative in the attack, but the visitors' goal play would come when Christian Cueva, starting from a counterattack from his field, passes it from the middle and Edison Flores gains in speed, receives and fires a powerful shot at goalkeeper Ospina's post.
In this way, the final 0-1 was finalized at minute 85 and thus the Peruvian team reaches fourth place with 20 points and Colombia drops to sixth place.
Pékerman's great debut in Venezuelan victory
The Agustín Tovar stadium in Barinas was the venue chosen for the next and last duel on Friday. Venezuela received Bolivia in a match that ended with a 4-1 win over the visitors.
In the first half 'La Vinotinto' started with their offensive game but without neglecting their back. It should be noted that Marcelo Martins, Bolivia's top scorer, was neutralized on most occasions by the local defense.
However, at minute 25, Soteldo would escape from the left, throwing a vertical pass so that Oscar González, on the baseline, centered the ball for Salomón Rondón to head it to the goalkeeper's post and thus make it 1-0 partial.
Ten minutes later, there would be another important play for the Venezuelans, Ronald Hernández would pass it to the Everton striker and he, from the edge of the area, hits it crosswise and below. The Bolivian goalkeeper froze. 2-0 provisional.
For his part, Bruno Miranda at 38', for the visitors, would head a ball that came from Arce's center from the right. Bolivia cut the distance with 2-1, and thus they would go to rest.
At minute 55, already in the second half, Darwin Machis, forward of Granada CF, would anticipate a short pass from Quinteros to goalkeeper Lampe. It was a compromised play and the striker steals the ball and defines an empty goal. 3-1.
But one more goal would be missing for 'La Vinotinto', which would come in the play that begins in Soteldo, he passes it to the center, so that Otero makes a vertical pass looking for Rondón's speed, and he shoots powerfully to convert the last goal and his 'hat-trick' that would seal a great match for the Premier League player.
On the 16th date of the South American qualifiers, which will take place on Tuesday, February 1, Venezuela will visit Uruguay, while Bolivia will host Chile. It should be noted that 'La Vinotinto' no longer has a chance to qualify for the Qatar World Cup, but his new coach has promised to achieve this feat for the 2026 World Cup.