Sports
Colombia Fails to Capitalize as Peru Clings to World Cup Dream in Goalless Thriller
A tense 0-0 draw in Barranquilla leaves Colombia stuck in sixth place while Peru stays alive, hoping for a miracle in the remaining qualifiers
With the scorching heat of Barranquilla and a heavy past hanging over their heads, Colombia’s national team had the perfect stage to take a decisive step toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But instead of redemption, fans witnessed another frustrating performance, as the Cafeteros failed to score and settled for a goalless draw against a struggling yet resilient Peruvian side.
Missing star forward Luis Díaz due to suspension and with injuries plaguing their attacking options, Colombia entered the match with pressure mounting. But despite early flashes, including a promising chance in the 20th minute from Jhon Jader Durán, the team fizzled out quickly. James Rodríguez, Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández, and Durán were largely ineffective against a disciplined Peruvian defense, expertly anchored by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
As the Caribbean sun beat down at 35°C, the match turned into a war of attrition. Peru, led by manager Óscar Ibáñez, approached the game with a pragmatic defensive block, deploying reinforcements in the second half after substituting out veteran Paolo Guerrero. The strategy worked, neutralizing Colombia’s sporadic attacks and dragging the match into a stalemate.
In the second half, Colombian coach Néstor Lorenzo shuffled his deck, bringing on Richard Ríos, Jaminton Campaz, and Marino Hinestroza. But the changes failed to spark creativity. While Colombia held possession, they lacked ideas and penetration, leaving their World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Now with 21 points, Colombia stays sixth in the CONMEBOL standings, tied with Uruguay but behind on goal difference. The draw also extended their winless streak to five games—a worrying sign ahead of their clash with Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Peru, on the other hand, will see this draw as a lifeline. Despite sitting in ninth place with just 11 points, they remain mathematically alive, chasing the seventh-place playoff spot currently held by Venezuela. With matches against Ecuador and others ahead, their path to qualification is steep—but not impossible.
For Colombia, the shadows of past eliminations continue to loom. The ghost of 2022, when Peru shocked them in Barranquilla to deny a World Cup ticket, returned again—but this time, it was Colombia who couldn’t deliver at home.
The pressure is on. For both sides, the final fixtures will be make-or-break.