Bolivia stun Brazil as Argentina fall to Ecuador in dramatic World Cup Qualifiers finale

Bolivia pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over Brazil in La Paz on Tuesday to clinch a place in the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. Miguel Terceros converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to deliver the decisive blow against the five-time world champions, dropping Carlo Ancelotti’s side to fifth in the South American standings.

The result sends Bolivia into March’s play-offs in Monterrey and Guadalajara, where they will join two CONCACAF sides and one team each from Africa, Asia and Oceania in the battle for two remaining World Cup spots.

Elsewhere, Ecuador edged reigning champions Argentina 1-0 in Guayaquil despite both sides already booking their places at the finals. Nicolas Otamendi’s first-half red card left Argentina vulnerable, and Enner Valencia converted a stoppage-time penalty to put the hosts in front. Moises Caicedo’s dismissal early in the second half evened the numbers, but Ecuador held firm to secure second place in the group. Argentina, however, remained comfortably top with 39 points, nine clear of their rivals.

Colombia sealed third place in style, beating Venezuela 6-3 in Maturin as Luis Suarez struck four times to dash Venezuela’s playoff hopes. Uruguay finished fourth after a goalless draw away to Chile, while Paraguay ended their campaign in sixth following a 1-0 victory over Peru in Lima thanks to Matias Galarza’s strike.

With South America’s qualifying campaign complete, Brazil’s shock defeat leaves them facing questions, while Bolivia’s dream of returning to the World Cup stage lives on through the play-offs.

SportsLigue