Chile is eliminated from the World Cup: 2-0 loss to Bolivia
After its 0-2 loss to Bolivia in El Alto, resulting in a poor performance in the World Cup qualifiers. Ricardo Gareca resigns to coach the National Team
The Chile National Soccer team is now officially eliminated from the FIFA World Cup USA/Mexico/Canada 2026. Their loss against Bolivia, in El Alto, sentenced its way to find the playoffs' tournament for a last chance to qualify. This is the third World Cup that Chile is going to miss.
According to Chilean media, their coach, Ricardo Gareca, is leaving the National Team due to a clause in his contract: if Chile did not qualify, he would no longer continue directing the team, now confirmed. This is the worst match result in a World Cup qualifier for Chile: only four wins, four ties, and nine losses in 16 disputed matches.
The match: 0-2 against Chile
The match was on June 10. At 5 minutes, Bolivian player Miguel Terceros scored the first goal of the match. Fifteen minutes later, Lucas Chavez received a red card after a dangerous kick against Fabian Hormazábal. Although Bolivia was left with 10 players, Chile could not equal the result.
During the encounter, Chile had more control of the ball, but with only 2 shots on goal. At the end of the match, at 90+1 minutes, Enzo Monteiro sealed the match after the Chilean goalkeeper, Brayan Cortés, let the ball bounce.
Ricardo Gareca resigns the National Chilean Team after a clause in his contract said that if they do not qualify, he must leave the coach position. Photo. AFP News
Ricardo Gareca resign the National Team
The loss ended with Ricardo Gareca's resignation as the coach of the Chilean National Soccer team. According to the former Argentina player, he said goodbye to his trainees in the dressing room after the match. "We told them that we wanted to decompress this. I want to thank everyone for their support. I want to make it clear that there was never an economic issue. It was simply a matter of reaching an agreement," he said.
The Chilean press criticized the loss, saying that it was a "shameful result" and joking around that their National Team would watch the FIFA World Cup on TV. Regarding Gareca's resignation, they celebrated it, saying that it was a much-needed change that "everyone was expecting for a long time." Finally, he said: "With all the experience and career I have, it's also a hard blow for me, but I have to get up."
