Nestor Lorenzo wasted no time in ringing the changes when he was appointed Colombia coach in June 2022, replacing Reinaldo Rueda, whose stint in charge never really got off the ground and ended with the Tricolor missing out on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Having spent almost nine years working under former coach Jose Pekerman, the Argentinian was well acquainted with the players and understood the weight of the Colombia shirt. He implemented changes that improved a squad that now boasts depth and talent coming from many of the world’s top clubs.
Alongside implementing new tactics, Lorenzo has blooded a new generation of youngsters who had previously been snubbed, including Kevin Castano, Jhon Arias and Jhon Duran, and he has stamped his authority on the side with his own style of play. He invariably lines up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, though it occasionally becomes a 4-3-3. Lorenzo’s game plan revolves around quick transitions and pace on the wings, particularly from the likes of Luis Diaz and Arias, with James Rodriguez pulling the strings and dictating the play as the focal point of the attack.
Despite a few rough moments in the South American qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26™, the team found continuity in the way they play and the players they field, with only the centre-forward position still up for grabs. The Argentinian coach experimented with five different players in that position, signalling that it is still far from decided who will get the nod at the tournament next June and July.
The players given a chance were: Rafael Santos Borre, Jhon Cordoba, Jhon Duran, Roger Martinez and Luis Suarez. With differing skillsets and performances, we take a look at Colombia’s options for a position steeped in tradition for the national team, with the likes of Arnoldo Iguaran, Radamel Falcao, Victor Aristizabal and Juan Pablo Angel, among those who have led the line for the Tricolor.
Rafael Santos Borre
The 30-year-old was the one who got the nod for the first six matches of qualifying. The former River Plate hitman is a perfect match for the team’s high pressing style, boasting a full skillset from clever link-up play to intelligent off-the-ball runs. Not an out-and-out goalscorer, Borre’s game is more about his overall contribution to the team.
In Colombia’s opening World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, he scored the only goal of the game in a 4-3-3 formation that saw James drop out of the side but did feature Juan Cuadrado, a veteran who would later fall out of favour.
The Internacional man then started in the 0-0 draw with Chile, the 2-2 draw against Uruguay, the goalless draw with Ecuador, and their victory against Brazil. He found the back of the net in his side’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in their sixth qualifying match. From their seventh match onwards, he gave way to other options.
Jhon Cordoba
A more physical presence in attack than Borre, Cordoba always relishes physical encounters, battles, and duels with defenders. The Krasnodar striker is more of a traditional No9 who likes to position himself between the centre-backs and is always ready to take his chances.
He was in the starting line-up for his side’s seventh match against Peru, which ended 1-1. The 32-year-old then kept his place in the side for their 4-0 victory over Chile, failing to find the back of the net while his replacement, Duran, got himself on the scoresheet.
After falling out of favour for several matches, he was given another opportunity on Matchday 17. Cordoba wasted no time in repaying his coach’s trust, bagging the second goal of the game in a 3-0 win over Bolivia that sealed Colombia’s qualification.
Jhon Duran
The 21-year-old striker hit a purple patch during his spell at Aston Villa in 2024, and Lorenzo was quick to capitalise on his rich vein of form. Out of all the options, he is arguably the most versatile, as he can operate as a second striker or out wide. He knows where the back of the net is and has electric pace, making him a strong option either as a starter or as an impact sub looking to change the game.
In the qualifiers, the Fenerbahce frontman started in his side’s victory over Argentina, as well as their win over Uruguay on Matchday 11, when Colombia lined up with a 4-3-1-2 formation with Juanfer Quintero orchestrating the attacks. He kept his place in the side for their defeat against Ecuador on home soil, their loss to Brazil, and the draws with Paraguay and Peru on Matchdays 14 and 15, respectively.
Roger Martinez
Martinez is another striker that brings different qualities to the table, though he is most lethal in and around the box as a poacher. As well as being a clinical finisher, The 31-year-old Al-Taawoun man has the ability to conjure something up out of nothing, whether facing the goal or with his back to it.
He was named in the starting line-up just once in qualifying, in his side’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bolivia. He was forced off with an ankle injury in the first half.
Luis Suarez
Similar to Borre, Suarez thrives on creating space for himself and dragging defenders out of position rather than being an out-and-out goalscorer. Despite plying his trade in Europe for some time and currently in Portugal for Sporting, he had been flying under the radar until he burst onto the scene, running riot with four goals in his country’s 6-3 win over Venezuela. Those four goals left the 27-year-old just three behind Luis Diaz, Colombia’s top scorer in the tournament.
