(CNN Español) – The Colombian team achieved a resounding 4-0 victory against Chile at the Barranquilla Metropolitan Stadium and consolidated its position at the top of the 2026 World Cup classification. After losing in El Alto against Bolivia on the previous day, the team led by Néstor Lorenzo won again and enjoyed team football. Chile, for its part, had just lost at home against Brazil and is sinking in the table: it has only achieved 5 points out of a possible 30.
Colombia played with a white uniform that paid tribute to the 100 years of the national team (also a tribute to the first shirt used by the team in 1945, according to the Colombian Soccer Federation).
The home team dominated the first half with possession of the ball, but did not create much danger in the opposing goal. It took 15 minutes for Davinson Sánchez to head a free kick and Chilean goalkeeper Brayan Cortés responded well.
Ten minutes later, goalkeeper Camilo Vargas assisted striker Luis Díaz, who put it down with quality and put Jhon Córdoba one-on-one, who couldn’t get a shot off.
The first Colombian goal came in the 25th minute after a cross that was headed hard by Jhon Lucumí and hit the head of Davinson Sánchez with a carom and went into the goal.
Chile, without precision or impetus, went to halftime without generating offensive football.
For the second half, coach Néstor Lorenzo moved the bench: he took out forward Jhon Córdoba, who had a yellow card, and sent Aston Villa forward Jhon Durán onto the field. Chile, for its part, replaced Thomas Galdames with Marcelo Morales.
Colombia’s second goal would come in the 51st minute after the Chilean defense sought to leave its area with control of the ball, but made a huge mistake: James Rodríguez intercepted the ball and quickly assisted Luis Díaz, who finished with the first touch and inflated the network.
From there Chile looked like a boxer against the ropes. He had no ideas to at least approach the Camilo Vargas area. Coach Ricardo Gareca looked for an offensive boost and sent forwards Lucas Cepeda and Gonzalo Tapia to play, but nothing happened until the 80th minute, when Chile took a corner kick.
Luis Díaz left amidst applause and was replaced by Luis Sinisterra and Jorge Carrascal came in for Jhon Arias.
Colombia’s third goal came after a great play between James Rodríguez who passed the ball to Luis Sinisterra and he, in a subtle way, left a ball served to Jhon Durán, who without looking at the goal kicked and unleashed the Caribbean enthusiasm.
Sinisterra sealed the win in the 93rd minute with an individual play. A resounding 4-0 for Colombia against a Chilean team that so far is the most beaten in the qualifying rounds with 18 goals against (-13 difference).
Colombia, now with 19 points, will visit Uruguay on November 15 and Chile will play Peru in Lima that same day.
