Venezuela National Football Team vs Colombia National Football Team: Timeline and Results

Welcome to FootballHistory.com.ng, your best place to read about football history, international rivalries and memorable matches. The Venezuela national football team vs Colombia national football team rivalry has developed through decades of South American football, with both countries meeting in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Copa América tournaments and international friendlies.

Venezuela national football team vs Colombia national football team during an international football match

Colombia have historically recorded more victories in this fixture, but Venezuela have produced important wins of their own. Their meetings include Venezuela's famous 1–0 victory over Colombia at the 2015 Copa América and the remarkable 6–3 Colombian victory in September 2025.

The latest senior men's meeting listed in the historical match records checked for this article took place on 9 September 2025. Colombia won 6–3 in Maturín, with Luis Javier Suárez scoring four goals. No later Venezuela-Colombia senior men's meeting was listed in the match records reviewed through the teams' 2026 international campaigns.

Venezuela vs Colombia Head-to-Head History

Venezuela and Colombia are neighbouring South American countries with a long history of international football encounters. Their national teams first met in 1938, and the fixture gradually became a familiar part of the regional football calendar.

Over the years, the teams have faced each other in different competitions, including World Cup qualifying and Copa América. They have also met in friendly matches, which have provided opportunities to test players and tactics outside competitive tournaments.

Colombia have generally been the stronger side in the overall historical record. However, Venezuela have shown that the difference between the teams can narrow considerably in individual matches. Results such as Venezuela's 2–0 qualifying victory in 2009, their 1–0 qualifying win in 2013 and their 2015 Copa América success remain important moments in the rivalry.

Exact head-to-head totals can vary between statistical databases because their coverage of historical tournaments and international matches is not always identical. For this reason, this article focuses on documented results and notable meetings rather than treating one total as universally definitive.

Reference sources include 11v11's Venezuela versus Colombia record and FBref's historical head-to-head database.

Venezuela National Football Team vs Colombia National Football Team Timeline

The following table highlights selected meetings from the rivalry, including early encounters, qualifying matches, Copa América games and recent international fixtures. It is not a complete list of every match played between the countries.

Sources for the selected results: 11v11 and FBref.

Memorable Matches in the Venezuela vs Colombia Rivalry

1. Colombia 3–0 Venezuela, 1969

Colombia recorded a 3–0 win over Venezuela in a 1969 World Cup qualifying match. When the teams met again on 2 August, Venezuela secured a 1–1 draw. The contrasting results demonstrated that although Colombia could dominate the fixture, Venezuela were capable of responding in the return match.

2. Colombia 4–0 Venezuela, 1979

The two teams met during the 1979 Copa América. Their first encounter ended 0–0, but Colombia won the later meeting 4–0. The results provide an example of how the same rivalry can produce very different matches depending on the circumstances, line-ups and tactical approach.

3. Venezuela 2–0 Colombia, 2009

On 31 March 2009, Venezuela defeated Colombia 2–0 in World Cup qualifying. It was a valuable result for Venezuela against a traditional regional rival and remains one of the notable home victories in their head-to-head history.

World Cup qualifying matches carry extra pressure because dropped points can affect a country's chances of reaching the tournament. Venezuela's performance showed that Colombia could not rely on historical reputation alone to secure a result.

4. Venezuela 1–0 Colombia, 2013

Venezuela added another important qualifying win on 26 March 2013, beating Colombia 1–0. The result strengthened the sense that this fixture could be competitive even when Colombia had the stronger overall record.

For Venezuela, victories against an established South American opponent also carry significance for confidence and national-team development.

5. Colombia 0–1 Venezuela, 2015 Copa América

One of Venezuela's most memorable results came on 14 June 2015, when the team defeated Colombia 1–0 in the Copa América group stage. Salomón Rondón scored the decisive goal.

Colombia entered the tournament with considerable expectations, but Venezuela defended effectively and took advantage of their opportunity. The victory became an important example of Venezuela's ability to compete with more highly rated teams in a major tournament.

6. Colombia 0–0 Venezuela, 2021 Copa América

The sides met again in the 2021 Copa América group stage and played out a goalless draw. Venezuela worked hard defensively to limit Colombia's opportunities, while Colombia were unable to turn their attacking play into a winning goal.

The match was another reminder that this rivalry does not always produce many goals. Some of its important chapters have been decided by defensive organisation and small moments rather than high-scoring performances.

Venezuela 3–6 Colombia: The Latest Recorded Meeting

The most recent senior men's meeting found in the historical records checked for this article took place on 9 September 2025 at the Estadio Monumental de Maturín in Venezuela. The match was the final round of South American qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Venezuela started aggressively and scored early through Telasco Segovia. Colombia responded through Yerry Mina, and the match developed into an open contest. Josef Martínez also scored for Venezuela, but Colombia's attacking display eventually proved decisive.

Luis Javier Suárez was the outstanding performer, scoring four goals for Colombia. Jhon Córdoba added another, while Venezuela scored a third goal through Salomón Rondón. The final score was Venezuela 3–6 Colombia.

The match was notable for several reasons:

• Four goals from Luis Javier Suárez: His performance was the defining feature of the match.
• Nine goals in total: The game became one of the most memorable high-scoring encounters in the recent history of the rivalry.
• Colombia finished qualifying strongly: The victory helped Colombia conclude the campaign in third place.
• Venezuela's World Cup hopes ended: Venezuela missed out on qualification and the intercontinental playoff route after Bolivia secured the playoff position.

Colombia had already secured a place at the 2026 World Cup before the final qualifying round. Venezuela, meanwhile, needed a favourable result and help from the other match involving Bolivia and Brazil. Bolivia's victory meant Venezuela could not claim the playoff place.

Read the match report from the Colombian Football Federation or the detailed coverage by El País.

Venezuela vs Colombia in World Cup Qualifying

World Cup qualifying is one of the most important settings for this rivalry. Both countries compete in the South American qualification system, where teams face one another home and away and points are difficult to earn.

Colombia have traditionally enjoyed greater success across the full head-to-head record. However, Venezuela's victories in 2009 and 2013 show that the balance can shift in individual qualifying matches. The 2025 fixture was especially significant because it brought the qualification campaign to an end for both sides, although their outcomes were very different.

Colombia qualified for the 2026 World Cup and later played in the tournament. Venezuela did not qualify. These outcomes form part of the latest chapter in their football history, but they do not guarantee that future meetings will follow the same pattern.

Venezuela vs Colombia in Copa América

Copa América has also contributed important matches to the rivalry. The tournament brings together South America's leading national teams and provides a different challenge from the longer World Cup qualifying campaign.

Colombia's 4–0 victory in 1979 was one of their emphatic results against Venezuela in the competition. Venezuela responded with a memorable 1–0 win in 2015, while their 2021 encounter ended 0–0.

These games illustrate the range of outcomes in the fixture. Colombia have often had the stronger historical record, but Venezuela have shown that disciplined defending and effective finishing can deliver a major result.

How the Two Teams Have Developed

Colombia have a long-established presence in international football and have qualified for several FIFA World Cups. Their national team has produced generations of notable players and has frequently competed at the highest level of South American football.

Venezuela's history has followed a different path. The team has worked to become more competitive in regional tournaments and World Cup qualifying, with victories over established opponents helping to raise expectations. Although Venezuela did not reach the 2026 World Cup, their results against Colombia show why individual matches should be judged on performance rather than reputation alone.

Squads, coaches and tactics change from one qualifying cycle to the next. Historical results offer useful context, but they should not be used as a substitute for checking the teams' latest form before a future match.

What Makes the Rivalry Interesting?

• Geographical proximity: The countries share a border, giving their football meetings a regional dimension.
• World Cup qualification pressure: Their competitive meetings often carry important consequences for qualification campaigns.
• Contrasting results: The record includes narrow wins, goalless draws and high-scoring games.
• Venezuela's notable victories: The 2009 and 2013 qualifying wins and the 2015 Copa América victory stand out.
• Recent drama: The 3–6 match in September 2025 added a remarkable attacking performance to the rivalry's history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Venezuela and Colombia first play each other?

Historical records list a match on 23 February 1938, when Venezuela defeated Colombia 2–1 in the Central American and Caribbean Games.

What was the latest Venezuela vs Colombia score?

The latest senior men's meeting listed in the historical records checked for this article was on 9 September 2025. Colombia defeated Venezuela 6–3 in World Cup qualifying.

Who has won more matches between Venezuela and Colombia?

Colombia have more victories in the historical head-to-head record. Exact totals differ between databases because their coverage of older competitions and international matches varies.

Have Venezuela beaten Colombia in World Cup qualifying?

Yes. Venezuela defeated Colombia 2–0 in March 2009 and 1–0 in March 2013 in World Cup qualifying.

Have Venezuela and Colombia played in Copa América?

Yes. Their Copa América meetings include matches in 1979, 1989, 2001, 2004, 2015 and 2021.

Did Venezuela qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

No. Venezuela finished outside the qualifying places and did not secure the intercontinental playoff position. Colombia qualified for the tournament.

Who scored four goals in the 2025 Venezuela vs Colombia match?

Colombian forward Luis Javier Suárez scored four goals in Colombia's 6–3 victory over Venezuela on 9 September 2025.

Conclusion

The Venezuela national football team vs Colombia national football team timeline reflects a long-running South American rivalry shaped by World Cup qualifying, Copa América and international friendlies. Colombia have historically won more often, but Venezuela have produced significant victories, including their 2009 and 2013 qualifying wins and their 2015 Copa América triumph.

The 6–3 result in September 2025 became the latest major chapter in the senior men's fixture documented in the match records checked for this article. Colombia finished qualifying in third place and reached the 2026 World Cup, while Venezuela missed out on the tournament.

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