Colombia faces Bolivia, a rival that, in the past, has already taken away its undefeated record.
Photo: Private Archive
Before the Copa América, Colombia accumulates an undefeated record that is on its way to being historic. There are 22 games without losing and 19 of them since Néstor Lorenzo took over as technical director. The team’s biggest record without losing was achieved in 1994, when they went 27 games undefeated. The greatest record in history is held by the Italian national team, with 37 games without defeat between October 2018 and October 2021.
Colombia is not focused on that record. Their first goal is the Copa América and then qualify for the 2026 World Cup. There is no time for distractions. However, the number is on the horizon and with the good streak it is impossible not to think about it.
That Bolivian team of 1994 was not the same as it is now. It was a historic team for that country, which qualified for the World Cup in the United States with one of the best generations it has ever had.
This Sunday, Colombia will face a curious coincidence. Now that they have accumulated 22 games without losing, the longest current streak in national teams in the world, the tricolor will face Bolivia in the last friendly match they will have in preparation for the Copa América. This competition begins on June 20 in the United States and Colombia will debut on the 24th of the same month against Paraguay.
The coincidence is that Bolivia was the same rival that in 1994 ended the national team’s undefeated 27 games. Before the World Cup that year, which was held in the United States, the Colombian team arrived at the World Cup as a candidate for the title. In the run-up, he played a tiring round of friendlies, one of the reasons that led to the failure that ended up being seen in the tournament.
In one of those games, Colombia fell to Bolivia 1-0 in Villavicencio on April 7 of that year with a goal from Mario Pinedo.
Beyond cabals or old superstitions, Colombia is focused on preparing its Copa América. It is the true objective of the group and that is where they have their focus. Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia’s technical director, said before the match: “With Bolivia it is the last official match in the previous stage of the Copa América. “It is an important game to correct errors and give minutes to players who need to arrive in the best way for the initial game on June 24, so we will take it with all the seriousness and responsibility that the case deserves.”
This Saturday’s match in Connecticut is shaping up to be a crucial test for the team, not only in preparation for the Copa América, but also as a test of resistance to the pressure of maintaining its undefeated streak. Néstor Lorenzo’s team will seek to demonstrate its capacity and preparation for the challenges to come.
At 4:00 pm, when the referee blows the opening whistle, not only will one more friendly be at stake, but an opportunity for Colombia to reaffirm its position. The Copa América will be the true stage where Colombia can measure its growth and consolidate its path to success in the 2026 World Cup.
