In their first-ever international soccer match in 1926, the Bolivian national team shocked host country Chile in the South American Championship by jumping out to a 1-0 lead in their opening match. Unfortunately, they conceded the next seven goals of the match en route to what would become a nightmare international debut, as the Bolivians lost all four of their matches by at least five goals and scored just once over the remainder of the tournament. Since then, “La Verde” have been a bit of a punching bag on the international stage against top-level competition. They lost their first three World Cup appearances — two matches in 1930 and one in 1950 — by a grand total of 16-0. However, with every underdog comes a Cinderella moment, and Bolivia have two in somewhat recent history: a championship as hosts in the 1963 South American Championship including victories over Brazil and Argentina and a 2-0 upset over Brazil in La Paz during the 1994 World Cup qualifiers. However, each of those victories were tainted by the benefit of the nation’s extreme altitude: with a stadium nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, the better-conditioned Bolivian side historically commands one of the largest home-field advantages in world soccer.
They’ll look to shine at sea level in the 2024 Copa América, helmed by young stars Gabriel Villamíl and Ramiro Vaca. A holding midfielder by trade, Villamíl transferred to LDU Quito of the Ecuadorian Serie A after spending five years with Bolívar and recording eight goal contributions in his age-21 season. Vaca, a creative attacking midfielder, scored in the team’s most recent match, a 1-0 tune-up victory over Andorra. He’s already scored two goals and added two assists in just eight games for Bolívar in the Bolivian Primera Division this season and should enter the tournament in strong form. Helmed by former polarizing Brazilian star Zago, who managed Bolívar to the 2022 Apertura before replacing Gustavo Costas after an underwhelming 0-1 defeat to Paraguay, the Bolivians will enter their group as heavy underdogs. However, with Vaca leading the attack they’re in a prime position to sit back, hold their defensive shape, and hope for a moment of creative inspiration to steal some points off group favorites Uruguay and the United States. Qualifying to the knockout round would be a surprise for this side given their overall talent level, but there’s enough talent in the Bolivarian attack that no one should count them out just yet.
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