Colombia clears up Jhon Durán clash
Colombia revealed that forward Jhon Durán had an incident in the locker room with coach Néstor Lorenzo during the 0‑0 draw against Peru, and that the episode marked his last appearance in the national shirt. The event happened on June 28, 2026 at Barranquilla's Metropolitano, and the player now aims to shine again at Benfica.
What happened in the locker room?
Alberto Suárez, Durán's former coach at Envigado, told Un Break that the striker had grabbed a teammate when the coach reached him from behind. "I didn't know it was the coach, so I opened my arms to get away, and the coach fell," Durán explained. This version differs from rumors of a deliberate assault. Suárez confirmed that Durán did knock Lorenzo to the floor, but without intent to harm.
How does it affect Colombia?
The incident led to Durán receiving a yellow card before halftime and being substituted in the second half. Hours later he left the camp citing physical discomfort and missed the match against Argentina. Since then, Lorenzo stopped calling him up, citing sporting reasons, although the striker appeared on preliminary lists. Luis Amaranto Perea, then assistant coach, downplayed the situation, noting many versions were exaggerated.
What lies ahead for Durán at Benfica?
At 22, Durán signed for Benfica after a series of loans that included Al‑Nassr, Fenerbahçe and Zenit. In his first friendly with the Portuguese side he scored and provided an assist, showing signs of recovery. The new setting gives him a chance to regain prominence and potentially return to Colombia's squad.
What does this mean for 2026 World Cup qualification?
Colombia boasts a recent form of 3 wins and 2 draws in its last five matches (DWDWW), unbeaten in that span. The latest result was a 0‑0 draw with Switzerland on July 7, 2026. If Durán settles at Benfica, his pace and finishing could strengthen Colombia's attack in upcoming qualifying fixtures, offering the coaching staff another option for decisive games.
Current context for the national team
The side is in a critical phase of the qualifiers, needing points against rivals like Argentina and Peru. Durán's absence has been noticeable, and his possible return could add freshness to the forward line as Colombia strives to secure its place at the 2026 World Cup.
