Bolivia rally to beat Suriname, reach World Cup playoff final

Bolivia came from behind to beat Suriname 2-1 in their inter-confederation playoff semi-final in ​Monterrey on Thursday, keeping alive their hopes ‌of a first World Cup appearance since 1994.

The South Americans will face Iraq in Tuesday’s playoff final for a place ​at the tournament in Group I, while Suriname’s ​bid to reach the finals for the ⁠first time came to an end after surrendering their ​early second-half lead.

Suriname struck three minutes after the restart ​when Liam van Gelderen reacted quickest to a chaotic goalmouth scramble, pouncing on a loose ball after keeper Guillermo Viscarra ​failed to gather or clear and tapping home ​from close range.

Substitute Moises Paniagua drew Bolivia level in the 72nd ‌minute, ⁠latching onto a loose ball after a series of deflections and steering a toe-poked finish into the far corner.

Bolivia were then awarded a penalty after a ​Myenty Abena foul ​on Juan ⁠Godoy, and Miguel Terceros stepped up to convert from the spot in the ​79th minute, completing the turnaround for ‘La Verde’.

Played ​in ⁠front of a largely Bolivian crowd at Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA, the match was attended by FIFA president Gianni ⁠Infantino ​and offered a glimpse of ​a venue set to host four games at the World Cup.

-Reuters

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