He took over at a difficult time, after the blow that meant the non-qualification for the Qatar World Cup, and in just 24 months, he revived the enthusiasm of an entire country. On June 2, 2022, Néstor Lorenzo was made official as the new coach of the Colombian National Team. Two years have passed and the balance, by game and results, is positive.vo.
The Argentine, former technical assistant to José Pékerman, He returned to the national team – this time as a full coach – to command a process that demanded triumphs, but that at the same time demanded recovering a style of play that would restore confidence to the fans. He had to return to the sources. Getting up was an obligation; staying up, the main challenge.
Lorenzo’s second year in the National Team
If the first year is summed up in the word ‘reconstruction’, This second season was one of consolidation. For Pékerman – and many Colombians – the Tricolor found its way again under the command of Lorenzo.
In the last 12 months, Colombia faced the start of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, He beat 3 world champions and consolidated his idea of the game supported by a base of players who, on the field, responded to the coach’s trust.
In results, Lorenzo’s year II started on a high, with victories over Iraq (1-0) and Germany (2-0) on the FIFA date of June 2023. Later came the start of the World Cup qualifying process for the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Colombia started the competition with a narrow victory over Venezuela. Then they chained three consecutive draws, vs. Chile, Uruguay and Ecuadorand in November he obtained the most important victory – so far – of the Lorenzo era: With a double from Luis Díaz, he beat Brazil for the first time in the Qualifiers.
At the end of 2023, the national team also beat Paraguay in an official match and to Venezuela Sub 23 and Mexico in friendlies outside of FIFA dates. Already in 2024 came the third victory against a world champion, 0-1 over Spain in London, and 3-2 against Romania in Madrid.
In total, in the last year, Colombia played 12 matches between Qualifiers and friendlies, leaving a balance of 9 victories (the last six consecutively) and 3 draws.
The consolidation of players and a prolonged undefeated
In addition to the good statistics, this second year of Lorenzo consolidated players in the senior team. It can be said that in recent months, the coach found – at least for the immediate future – the team. The base is there. Match by match it is confirmed.
Richard Ríos, Jhon Arias, Jhon Lucumí and Kevin Castaño They are some of the players who, due to performance and good performances, earned a place in the squads. Nowadays they are practically untouchable for the coaching staff. We must also value the “recovery” of James Rodríguez, who in this cycle regained prominence and importance in the starting team.
To all of the above we must add the 12th place in the FIFA ranking and the prolonged undefeated streak. The Colombian National Team has not lost since Lorenzo assumed technical direction. There are already 18 games without losing with the Argentine on the bench, a number that rises to 21 if we take into account the closure of Reinaldo Rueda’s process and a friendly against Arabia led by Héctor Cárdenas (the last defeat was in February 2022 vs. Argentina).
Balance of the National Team with Lorenzo as coach
- 18 matches
- 13 victories
- 5 ties
- 0 defeats
- 30 goals in favor
- 13 goals against
- Player with the most matches: Rafael Santos Borré (15)
- Top scorer: Rafael Santos Borré (4 goals)
The Copa América is coming, the great objective of 2024. But before the tournament of nations, the Colombian National Team will play friendlies against the United States and Bolivia, and Néstor Lorenzo will define the group of 26 players that will face the international competition starting on June 24, the day of the debut against Paraguay.
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