The football rivalry between Bolivia and Brazil is one of South America’s most fascinating contrasts. While Brazil has dominated with its world-class talent and long history of success, Bolivia has managed to produce unforgettable moments—especially when playing at high altitude in La Paz.
Head-to-Head Record
Bolivia and Brazil have met across World Cup qualifiers, Copa América tournaments, and international friendlies. Below is a detailed match history:
| Date | Competition | Result |
| 20 Jul 1930 | FIFA World Cup | Brazil 4–0 Bolivia |
| 28 Jan 1945 | Copa América | Brazil 2–0 Bolivia |
| 16 Jan 1946 | Copa América | Brazil 3–0 Bolivia |
| 10 Apr 1949 | Copa América | Brazil 10–1 Bolivia |
| 01 Mar 1953 | Copa América | Brazil 8–1 Bolivia |
| 21 Mar 1959 | Copa América | Brazil 4–2 Bolivia |
| 31 Mar 1963 | Copa América | Bolivia 5–4 Brazil |
| 27 May 1973 | International Friendly | Brazil 5–0 Bolivia |
| 14 Jul 1977 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 8–0 Bolivia |
| 26 Jul 1979 | Copa América | Bolivia 2–1 Brazil |
| 16 Aug 1979 | Copa América | Brazil 2–0 Bolivia |
| 22 Feb 1981 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 1–2 Brazil |
| 22 Mar 1981 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 3–1 Bolivia |
| 02 Jun 1985 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 0–2 Brazil |
| 30 Jun 1985 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 1–1 Bolivia |
| 09 Jul 1991 | Copa América | Brazil 2–1 Bolivia |
| 25 Jul 1993 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 2–0 Brazil |
| 29 Aug 1993 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 6–0 Bolivia |
| 29 Jun 1997 | Copa América Final | Brazil 3–1 Bolivia |
| 03 Sep 2000 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 5–0 Bolivia |
| 07 Nov 2001 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 3–1 Brazil |
| 31 Jan 2002 | International Friendly | Brazil 6–0 Bolivia |
| 09 Oct 2005 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 3–1 Bolivia |
| 05 Oct 2009 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 2–1 Brazil |
| 11 Oct 2009 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 0–0 Bolivia |
| 06 Apr 2013 | International Friendly | Bolivia 0–4 Brazil |
| 07 Oct 2016 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 5–0 Bolivia |
| 05 Oct 2017 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 0–0 Brazil |
| 15 Jun 2019 | Copa América | Brazil 3–0 Bolivia |
| 10 Oct 2020 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 5–0 Bolivia |
| 29 Mar 2022 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 0–4 Brazil |
| 08 Sep 2023 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Brazil 5–1 Bolivia |
| 09 Sep 2025 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia 1–0 Brazil |
Match Highlights
- Historic Win (1963 Copa América): Bolivia shocked the football world with a 5–4 victory against Brazil.
- 1997 Copa América Final: Brazil lifted the trophy after defeating Bolivia 3–1 in La Paz.
- Altitude Advantage: Several of Bolivia’s rare wins—including in 1993 and 2001 World Cup qualifiers—came in La Paz, where the high altitude plays a major role.
- Recent Upset (2025): Bolivia claimed a famous 1–0 victory over Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with Miguel Terceros scoring from the penalty spot.
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Overall Statistics
- Total Matches: 33
- Brazil Wins: 24
- Bolivia Wins: 5
- Draws: 4
- Goals (Brazil): 113
- Goals (Bolivia): 26
- Average Goals per Match: 3.4
Notable Players
- Zico (Brazil): Top scorer in this fixture with 8 goals.
- Neymar (Brazil): Contributed 5 goals in just 5 games against Bolivia.
- Erwin Sánchez (Bolivia): One of Bolivia’s most iconic players, remembered for his performances in the 1993 and 1997 clashes.
Conclusion
Brazil’s dominance in this rivalry is undeniable, but Bolivia has created iconic moments that fans will never forget. From the high-altitude triumphs to the dramatic 2025 upset, this South American clash continues to deliver drama and passion.
