Colombia capped off their preparations for the Copa America with a convincing victory over Bolivia in an international friendly. The match, played on June 16th, 2024, saw Los Cafeteros extend their winning streak to a remarkable seven games.
Head Coach Nestor Lorenzo fielded a strong starting lineup, with Luis Díaz leading the attack alongside Duván Zapata. Bolivia, under manager Antonio Carlos Zago, were focused on building momentum for their Copa America opener against the United States.
The first half was a dominant display by Colombia. Their attack, spearheaded by the lively Díaz, constantly threatened the Bolivian defense. Zapata nearly put Colombia ahead on two occasions, but his efforts were thwarted by excellent saves from Bolivian goalkeeper Rubén Cordóba.
Colombia’s pressure finally paid off just before halftime. A perfectly weighted cross from Juan Cuadrado found Díaz unmarked in the box, and the Liverpool forward made no mistake with a powerful header that left Cordóba with no chance. The goal sent the home crowd into a frenzy as Colombia went into the break with a deserved lead.
The second half continued in a similar vein. Colombia controlled possession and created several opportunities to extend their lead. Rafael Santos Borré, who came on as a substitute, came close with a curling effort that rattled the crossbar.
Bolivia struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the game. Their best opportunity came late in the second half when a long ball found Marcelo Moreno unmarked in the box. However, the veteran striker failed to control the ball cleanly, and his shot went comfortably wide.
Colombia put the game to bed in the dying minutes. A quick counter-attack saw Cuadrado play a delightful through ball to James Rodríguez, who slotted the ball calmly past Cordóba for Colombia’s second goal.
The final score remained 2-0, a comfortable victory for Colombia that served as a perfect confidence booster before their Copa America campaign. The team displayed impressive attacking prowess and defensive solidity, sending a strong message to their group stage opponents.
For Bolivia, the defeat highlighted areas needing improvement before their Copa America opener. While coach Zago may not be overly concerned with the result, the performance exposed defensive weaknesses that will need to be addressed.
Starting Date, Time and Venue
- When: Saturday, June 15
- Where: Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field (East Hartford, Conn.)
- Time: 5 p.m. ET
Line ups
Here’s a preview of the possible lineups for Colombia vs. Bolivia based on recent news and predictions:
Colombia (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: This information is typically not confirmed beforehand, but some sources suggest David Ospina.
- Defenders: Dựvan Zapata, Stefan Medina, Davinson Sanchez, Yairo Moreno
- Midfielders: Jefferson Lerma, Wilmar Barrios, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Arias
- Forward: Rafael Santos Borre
Bolivia (4-4-2):
- Goalkeeper: Guillermo Vizcarra
- Defenders: Luis Haquin, Adrian Jusino, Marc Enoumba, Diego Bejarano
- Midfielders: Pablo Vaca, Roberto Fernandez, Boris Cespedes, Bruno Miranda
- Forwards: Carmelo Algaranaz, Miguel Terceros
Important Note:
These are predicted lineups, and the actual starting eleven for each team might differ. Trainers often make last-minute changes based on player fitness or tactical tweaks.
For the most up-to-date information, you can check live updates on sports news websites or social media closer to the match.
Preview of Colombia vs. Bolivia (international friendly)
This Saturday night, Colombia and Bolivia will face off in an international friendly at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Connecticut. Both teams are using this match as a final tune-up before the Copa America kicks off on June 20th.
Colombia enters the match in red-hot form. They boast a 22-game unbeaten streak and are coming off a dominant 5-1 victory over the United States. Head coach Nestor Lorenzo will be looking to continue this momentum and solidify his team’s strategy before their Copa America opener against Paraguay.
Bolivia, on the other hand, is in need of a confidence boost. They suffered a 3-1 defeat to Ecuador in their last friendly match and have only managed one win in their last five games.
Here’s a closer look at the matchup:
- Head-to-Head: Colombia has a significant advantage. They are unbeaten against Bolivia since 2003, including a 3-0 victory in their last meeting back in March 2022.
- Current Form: Colombia is the clear favorite with their unbeaten streak and impressive recent win. Bolivia needs a turnaround in form.
- Key Players: Colombia will rely on their attacking firepower, with players like Duván Zapata and Luis Díaz looking to continue their scoring form. Bolivia will look to young midfielder Miguel Terceros to create opportunities and spark their offense.
Prediction: Based on current form and historical dominance, Colombia is heavily favored to win this match.
This friendly offers Colombia a chance to refine their tactics and showcase their strength before the Copa America, while Bolivia will be aiming to find their rhythm and build some confidence ahead of the tournament.
