Venezuela defeated Bolivia and finished seventh
Secured a 4-2 victory in their farewell match at the CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa 2025™.
- Vinotinto’s third win in Iquique.
- Vaamonde finished the tournament with 5 goals.
Venezuela showed significant progress in Iquique: after finishing 10th in Rosario 2023, the Vinotinto climbed to seventh place in 2025.
It wasn’t an easy match. Bolivia took the lead thanks to a beautiful goal from their goalkeeper Brian Ortiz, late in the first period.
Led by their top scorer, Alexander Vaamonde, the Vinotinto started turning the game around. The No. 7 equalized with a low shot just one minute into the second period, netting his fifth goal of the tournament.
Another standout for Venezuela, Carlos Pérez, scored their second goal. Garzón equalized for Bolivia, but just before the end of the second period, José Semprún executed a fantastic bicycle kick to put Venezuela back in the lead.
In the third period, an own goal by Garzón sealed the win and secured seventh place for the Vinotinto. It was an outstanding tournament for Xan Lamigueiro as head coach: his team defeated Paraguay, Peru, and Bolivia, only losing to Brazil and Argentina.
Lineups
Bolivia (2): 1- Brian Ortiz, 2- Mauricio López, 3- Harold Melgar Urquiza, 6- Rubén Velasco, 10- Berthy Alpiri.
Substitutes: 12- Juan Hurtado, 4- Jorge Gutiérrez, 5- Dimas Garzón, 7- José Miguel Claudio, 8- Dudy Chávez (Captain), 9- Darlon Zárate, 11- Dahulon Zárate.
Coach: Félix Salvatierra.
Venezuela (4): 12- Vicente Duque, 2- Aníbal Rivera, 3- José Betancourt (Captain), 7- Alexander Vaamonde, 8- Carlos Pérez.
Substitutes: 1- Robert Pérez, 4- Fausto Escobar Salazar, 5- Rosdel Ramos, 6- Jeyker Rivero, 9- José Semprún, 10- Enderson Ramos, 11- César Pinto.
Coach: Xan Lamigueiro.
Goals
First period: 9’ Brian Ortiz (B). Partial score: Bolivia 1-0 Venezuela.
Second period: 1’ Alexander Vaamonde (V), 2’ Carlos Pérez (V), 4’ Dimas Garzón (B), José Semprún (V). Partial score: Bolivia 2-3 Venezuela.
Third period: 8’ Garzón own goal (V). Final score: Bolivia 2-4 Venezuela.
Cards:
Second period: 6’ Yellow card for Betancourt (V).
Third period: 4’ Red card for Darlon Zárate (B).
Main referee: Silvio Coronel (Paraguay).
