Sometimes a game isn’t just a game. Sometimes it’s a statement, a showcase, a masterclass from one player. That’s exactly what happened when Colombia faced Venezuela in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Colombia walked away with a dominant 6-3 victory, but the real story, the one that will be retold, belongs to Luis Suárez. He netted an astonishing four goals. Midfielder Richard Ríos also got the nod to start, playing a key role in the team’s effort.
The match kicked off like a firecracker. Telasco Segovia got Venezuela on the scoreboard early, barely three minutes in. The home crowd roared. But Colombia, never one to back down, quickly found an answer. Yerry Mina leveled things up, settling the nerves for his side.
Just when it seemed Colombia had wrestled control, Josef Martínez put Venezuela back in front. The tension was palpable. But then, the stage truly belonged to Sporting’s star forward, Luis Suárez. He turned the tide with a flurry of goals. He found the back of the net at the 42-minute mark, then again at 50, 59, and finally at 67 minutes. It was a dizzying display of pure scoring instinct, leaving Venezuela scrambling.
With Colombia leading 5-2, Salomón Rondón managed to pull one back for Venezuela. But it was too little, too late. Jhon Córdoba sealed the deal for Colombia, adding another goal before the 80-minute mark. This secured the 6-3 final score in a truly memorable outing.
Colombia has already secured its spot in the upcoming World Cup. They currently sit third in the group standings. They are just one point behind Ecuador and ten points adrift of Argentina, who lead the pack.
