The South American women’s football scene is heating up as the race to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil intensifies, with Venezuela and Argentina putting on electrifying performances to close out 2025. The final matchday of the year saw Venezuela’s Vinotinto crush Peru 6-0 in Cabudare, a result that leaves them atop the table with eight points from four games. Meanwhile, Argentina stormed back from a rest round to dismantle Bolivia, keeping the pressure on the leaders and setting the stage for an exhilarating sprint to the finish.
Venezuela’s display against Peru was nothing short of a statement. After two goalless draws against Chile and Ecuador, the Vinotinto’s attack finally exploded. Deyna Castellanos, ever the talisman for her country, opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a move that showcased the team’s technical prowess and collective confidence. "The best come together with the best in a system that amplifies their individual talent," coach Ricardo Belli’s approach was described, and it was clear to see as Castellanos and company put on a clinic.
Gabriela García doubled the lead in the 36th minute, and Bárbara Martínez added a third just before halftime, making it 3-0 and all but sealing the fate of a beleaguered Peru side by the break. But Venezuela wasn’t done. Enyer Higuera netted twice in quick succession after the interval, at the 48th and 52nd minutes, putting the match well beyond reach. Génesis Flórez capped off the rout in the 85th minute, sending the home fans into celebration and guaranteeing Venezuela’s spot at the summit until the qualifiers resume in April 2026.
It was a performance that, according to local coverage, "will flood the squad with confidence" heading into the crucial next phase. The win was not just about the scoreline, but the manner in which Venezuela played—fluid, aggressive, and united. After a string of stalemates, this outburst of goals demonstrated that the Vinotinto’s attack, led by Castellanos, is a force to be reckoned with as the World Cup draws nearer.
Argentina, meanwhile, kept their own dreams alive and well with a dominant showing at the Estadio Florencio Sola in Banfield. The Albiceleste, one of South America’s traditional powerhouses, made a mockery of any doubts about their credentials with a resounding win over Bolivia. Paulina Gramaglia opened the festivities with a header in the seventh minute and added another just after halftime. Aldana Cometti’s 31st-minute goal and a penalty converted by María Florencia Bonsegundo before the break made it 3-0 at halftime, a scoreline that only grew more lopsided as the match wore on.
Bonsegundo would finish with a brace, scoring again deep into stoppage time, while Kishi Núñez also bagged a pair of goals and Francisca Altgelt got on the scoresheet. The 7-0 thrashing left little doubt: Argentina means business. The team’s unbeaten run now stretches to nine official matches, six of which have seen them keep a clean sheet. "The result was so conclusive that the fans only had to sit back and enjoy," one local report remarked. Coach Germán Portanova’s side has found a winning formula, especially from set pieces, and they’re not shy about using it.
Chile, too, kept their World Cup hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay, courtesy of Yanara Aedo’s 33rd-minute strike. The match turned in Chile’s favor when Paraguay’s Danna Garcete was sent off, complicating any hopes of a comeback for the visitors. While Chile couldn’t extend their lead despite several chances, the three points were vital in keeping them level with Argentina and Colombia in the standings. The Chilean camp will surely rue missed opportunities to pad the scoreline, but the result was all that mattered on the day.
Elsewhere, Uruguay and Ecuador played to a scoreless draw at Estadio Parque Viera in Montevideo, a result that left both sides feeling they could have taken more. For Ecuador, the clean sheet was their third in four matches, underscoring a defensive solidity that could prove crucial as the qualifiers progress. Uruguay, despite their efforts, couldn’t break through, and both teams remain in the chasing pack with work to do if they hope to snatch one of the coveted World Cup spots.
Colombia, meanwhile, had a rest day and will return to action in the next round. The standings as of December 3, 2025, reflect just how tight this qualifying campaign has become: Venezuela leads with 8 points from 4 matches, followed closely by Argentina, Chile, and Colombia, each with 7 points (though Argentina and Colombia have a game in hand). Ecuador sits on 5 points, Paraguay and Peru on 3, Uruguay with 2, and Bolivia at the bottom with just 1 point.
Looking ahead, the next matchday is set for April 10, 2026, with pivotal clashes on the docket: Peru vs Uruguay, Paraguay vs Ecuador, Colombia vs Venezuela, and Chile vs Argentina. With only two direct qualification spots and two intercontinental playoff places up for grabs, every match will carry enormous weight.
In the men’s game, Venezuelan football was also in the spotlight this week, but for different reasons. Yeferson Soteldo, a midfielder for Fluminense and La Vinotinto, ended a 402-day goal drought by scoring twice in a 2-1 away win over Gremio in Brazil’s Serie A. Soteldo’s goals, at the 16th and 52nd minutes, not only secured a crucial victory that puts Fluminense in the hunt for a Copa Libertadores berth but also reignited conversations about his role in the national team.
Soteldo has faced criticism from Venezuelan fans, especially after the national team’s painful 6-3 defeat to Colombia in the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers—a result that led to the dismissal of coach Fernando ‘Bocha’ Batista. Many supporters were vocal about their disappointment, with some targeting Soteldo for his perceived lack of focus, referencing his social media activity. "When he dedicates himself to playing football and not making TikToks, he shines," read one pointed comment that captured the mood among segments of the fanbase. Soteldo was not called up for La Vinotinto’s most recent friendlies, a decision that has only fueled debate about his future with the national side.
The road to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil is far from settled, and with so much at stake, the drama is certain to intensify when the qualifiers resume in April. Venezuela’s women have set the pace, Argentina and Chile are hot on their heels, and every nation knows that one slip could spell disaster. The men’s game, too, remains a cauldron of passion and scrutiny, as players like Soteldo look to redeem themselves on both club and international stages. South American football fans, buckle up—the best is yet to come.
