Colombia will retain Néstor Lorenzo as head coach of its national soccer team following the squad’s performance in the recent World Cup, the Colombian Football Federation announced on Thursday. The federation’s executive committee confirmed the extension after a meeting held in Bogotá, though specific details regarding the duration of the new contract were not disclosed.

Lorenzo, a 60-year-old Argentine, assumed the role in 2022 under an initial four-year agreement. During his tenure, Colombia has accumulated a record of 31 wins, 12 draws, and eight losses, scoring 96 goals and conceding 44. The team’s showing at the World Cup highlighted its strong defensive capabilities, allowing only one goal across five matches.

At the tournament, Colombia topped its group after victories against Uzbekistan (3-1) and Congo (1-0), along with a scoreless draw versus Portugal. In the round of 32, the team secured a 1-0 win over Ghana before being eliminated in the round of 16 by Switzerland. The knockout match ended in a 0-0 draw after extra time, with Colombia falling 4-3 in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Following the decision to renew his contract, Lorenzo emphasized the need to build on the team’s progress. “Now is the time to recharge and continue developing this project,” he said, expressing his commitment to strengthening the squad and maintaining an attacking style of play. He acknowledged the equipo’s defensive resilience while expressing regret over the penalty shootout loss. “The penalties against Switzerland were the most painful moment because our World Cup dream came to an end,” Lorenzo stated. “The team took the initiative in every match; we played with an ambitious, attacking mindset. We created more scoring chances than any of the opponents we faced.”

Colombia is scheduled to return to international competition in September, with its next opponent yet to be determined.