Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Colombia
Match Time & Date:
07/09/2023
07:00 PM
Prediction: 2-0
Venezuela
Colombia take on Venezuela at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez in the opening match of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Los Cafeteros have big ambitions for the South America WC qualifiers and we predict that they will go all guns blazing at La Vinotinto in their opener. New boss Nestor Lorenzo has named former Real Madrid ace James Rodriguez in the Colombia squad, but Radamel Falcao has been omitted. A man to watch in the home team will be Bournemouth winger Luis Sinisterra, who is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back-line.
Venezuela, on the other hand, are no longer considered a team to beat in South America and given their difficulties on the travels, home win should be considered. As always, the opposition back-line should have Salomon Rondon at bay. In their last meeting in the World Cup qualifiers Colombia defeated Venezuela 1-0 thanks to James Rodriguez’s goal.
Highlighted Player (Jose Salomon Rondon):
Over the years Jose Solomon Rondon has established himself as one of the best South American attackers. The Venezuelan striker was born in Caracas on September 16, 1989 and he played for San Jose de Calasanz at the start of his youth career. He played for the youth teams of Deportivo Guilima and Aragua as well and he continued playing for Aragua at senior level.
After scoring 15 goals in 15 appearances for the club, Salomon Rondon moved to Spain in 2008, signing a deal with La liga side Las Palmas and two years later he moved to fellow Spanish outfit Malaga. The left-footed forward scored 25 goals in 67 appearances in La Liga for los Boquerones, but in the summer of 2012 he moved to Russian club Rubin Kazan.
Despite failing to impress in 36 appearances for the Tatars, Zenit chiefs decided to bring Rondon to Sankt Petersburg in 2014 and it has to be noted that the Venezuela international scored 20 goals in 37 appearances in the Russian Premier League for the Zenitchiki. Salomon Rondon, who made his Venezuela debut in February 2008 against Haiti, currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
Highlighted Team (Colombia):
Seleccion de futbol Colombia has stepped on to the international scene in 1938 with its competitive debut against Mexico. Colombia has in recent years become a national symbol of strength representing country’s efforts to fight the negative reputation.
Passionate about their football team, Colombians have formed a huge fan base which enjoyed in their team’s impressive run to the 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals at the competition in which Real Madrid star James Rodriguez was awarded the Golden Boot for most goals and the Best Goal of the Tournament awards. Jose Pekerman’s team has also been named the Fair Play team at the same event.
The fans were pretty disappointed to see their team reach the quarter-final stage at the 2015 Copa America though as Colombia crashed out in disappointing fashion losing to Argentina after a penalty kick. Radamel Falcao remains the most prominent star of the current team despite his poor spells with Manchester United and Chelsea respectively. Monaco striker is also the team’s top scorer with 25 goals added to his name.
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