In a crucial World Cup qualifying match, Bolivia defeated Chile 1-0 at the El Alto Municipal Stadium, pushing Chile’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup to the brink of elimination.

Chile needed a win to stay in the race for the World Cup, but the high altitude of El Alto proved to be a tough challenge. Bolivia took the lead early in the 5th minute when Miguel Terceros scored a goal from a pass by Diego Medina. Bolivia almost made it 2-0 when Diego Arroyo’s header hit the crossbar.

Things took a turn in the 18th minute when Lucas Cháves of Bolivia was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Fabián Hormázabal of Chile. The referee changed a yellow card to a red after reviewing the play with VAR, leaving Bolivia with 10 players.

Despite being a player down, Bolivia continued to push forward. Gabriel Villamil almost scored another goal, but Chile’s goalkeeper Brayan Cortés made a save. Chile struggled to create chances, and their first real shot on goal came in the 30th minute, which Bolivia’s goalkeeper Carlos Lampe easily saved.

As time ran out, Chile couldn’t find a way to break through, and the game ended 1-0 in Bolivia’s favor.

Gareca’s Job in Danger

This loss puts Chile in a very difficult position. They are now in last place in the South American qualifiers, with only 10 points, and their World Cup hopes are almost gone. Ricardo Gareca, the coach of Chile, might lose his job after this result.

In the press conference after the game, Gareca said, “We have to win every game now, and hope others lose. Things are getting tough, but we still have two more matches, and we need to get results.” His future as Chile’s coach remains uncertain.

Bolivia’s Hopes Are Still Alive

Even though Bolivia lost to Venezuela earlier, this win against Chile gives them a chance to stay in the race for the World Cup. Bolivia’s coach, Óscar Villegas, is hopeful as they continue their journey to qualify.

The road ahead for both teams is tough. Can Chile recover in time to keep their World Cup dream alive? Will Bolivia continue their strong run? We’ll have to wait and see.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Under the warm Saratoga sun and in front of more than 46,000 spectators, Sovereignty galloped to a decisive victory in the 157th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, asserting dominance in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown season.

With jockey Junior Alvarado aboard and trained by William I. Mott, the Derby champion pulled away in the final stretch to win by three lengths over Journalism, the Preakness winner, clocking in at 2:00.69 for the shortened 1¼-mile course.

A Temporary Home with a Historic Vibe

The Belmont Stakes was once again relocated to Saratoga Race Course due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park. This year marked the second consecutive edition at Saratoga, where organizers hosted the extended Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, spanning five days with 27 stakes races and over $11 million in prize money.

Despite the absence of a Triple Crown bid, the atmosphere was festive. Total attendance reached over 110,000 across the week, and wagering volumes neared $198 million, indicating strong interest.

A Field of Eight, A Race of Two

The eight-horse field featured familiar names from earlier Triple Crown legs:

• Sovereignty (Derby winner)

• Journalism (Preakness winner)

• Rodriguez (morning-line favorite)

• Baeza, Hill Road, Crudo, Uncaged, and Heart of Honor

Although all eyes were on the rematch between Sovereignty and Journalism, it was the Derby champ who made a statement by skipping the Preakness and arriving fresh. Journalism, valiant in defeat, held off late challenges to secure second place.

Betting Recap and Final Standings

The race’s betting favorites played out predictably, with the top four finishers aligning closely with morning-line odds.

2025 Belmont Stakes – Final Results:

Wagering payouts were modest due to Sovereignty’s strong backing:

• $1 Exacta: $6.60

• $0.50 Trifecta: $6.90

• $0.10 Superfecta: $4.05

Festival Highlights & What’s Next

The race was the highlight of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which kicked off on June 4 and concluded with Saturday’s feature race. Saratoga’s tradition-rich venue provided a charming, fan-friendly atmosphere—even if smaller in scale compared to Belmont Park.

Belmont Park’s renovations are expected to be completed by late 2026. Whether the race returns to its original home or remains at Saratoga for another year remains undecided.

Quote of the Day:

“He had fire in him today,” said Sovereignty’s trainer William Mott. “We knew skipping the Preakness was a gamble—but it paid off.”

For more Triple Crown coverage and race-day highlights, visit Headings.us.