Nestor Lorenzo praised Colombia’s World Cup qualifying performance, highlighting their deserved place after a thrilling campaign. Despite challenges, the team’s resilience and attacking prowess secured their spot, with Luis Suarez’s four goals against Venezuela a standout moment. Lorenzo emphasized continued growth for future success.
Nestor Lorenzo, the esteemed coach of the Colombian national team, expressed his satisfaction and belief that his squad has earned their place in the upcoming World Cup after a captivating qualifying journey. The culmination of their efforts arrived in a spectacular nine-goal encounter against Venezuela at Estadio Monumental de Maturin, a match that saw Luis Suarez, not to be confused with the Uruguayan legend, etch his name into the history books with a stunning four-goal haul for the visitors.
The match against Venezuela was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Colombia twice found themselves trailing early in the game. Telasco Segovia's early opener in the third minute threatened to derail Colombia's plans, but Yerry Mina quickly responded with an equalizer. However, Venezuela swiftly regained the lead through Josef Martinez, setting the stage for a tense and exhilarating battle. It was then that Luis Suarez stepped up, delivering four unanswered goals that ultimately sealed the victory for Colombia. This triumph ensured Colombia finished third in the fiercely competitive CONMEBOL standings, trailing only Ecuador and Argentina, powerhouses in South American football.
The high-scoring affair between Colombia and Venezuela etched its name into the annals of South American qualifying history as one of the joint-highest-scoring matches, a distinction it shares with three other games that occurred over six decades ago. Beyond the sheer number of goals, Lorenzo's team demonstrated their dominance, concluding the match with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.14 from 13 shots, dwarfing Venezuela's 1.21 from 11 attempts. This statistical advantage underscored Colombia's attacking intent and clinical finishing.
Nestor Lorenzo, who boasts an impressive record of 23 wins in his 38 games (10 draws, 5 losses) since assuming leadership in 2022, acknowledged the arduous nature of securing their coveted spot at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. "We are in the place we deserve to be," Lorenzo affirmed. "It's been two and a half years where there were undoubtedly some ups and downs."
Reflecting on the challenges encountered during the campaign, Lorenzo highlighted the significance of maintaining composure and resilience. "Especially in games that escaped us on the hour. However, the team was always the protagonist and went out looking for the games," he noted, emphasizing the team's proactive approach and unwavering determination.
Colombia's attacking prowess was a hallmark of their qualifying campaign, as they collectively scored 28 goals across their 18 fixtures. This impressive tally was second only to Argentina's 31 goals, further solidifying Colombia's status as a potent attacking force in South American football. Moreover, Colombia boasted the highest expected goals (xG) total among the South American nations, with an impressive 28.76, underscoring their consistent threat in front of goal.
Luis Suarez's remarkable four-goal performance on Tuesday was a historic feat, making him the first player to achieve such a milestone in a South American qualifying match since Uruguay's Luis Suarez accomplished the same against Chile back in November 2011. This achievement further cemented Suarez's place in Colombian footballing lore.
Despite suffering four defeats against Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Brazil, Lorenzo was quick to commend his team for their resilience in remaining unbeaten in their final four qualifying matches. "We knew how to recover, that’s the important thing. Proud of this group, which always brings out the best at the right time," Lorenzo added, emphasizing the team's ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Looking ahead, Lorenzo emphasized the importance of continued growth and improvement. "But the team was the protagonist and always went out looking for the games. And that is what we have to continue to grow, to continue improving," he concluded, outlining his vision for the future of the Colombian national team.