Colombia's first-ever World Cup squad lost one of its key figures. Adelmo 'Achito' Vivas, the substitute goalkeeper who replaced Efraín 'Caimán' Sánchez in Chile 1962, died on Thursday in Cali at age 92 due to kidney complications. His name is etched in Colombian football history as part of the squad that made its World Cup debut.
Who was 'Achito' Vivas?
Adelmo Vivas, nicknamed 'Achito', was the goalkeeper who sat on the bench at the 1962 World Cup after Carlos 'Indio' Montaño got injured. Though he wasn't initially in the squad, coach Juan Carlos Lorenzo chose him to travel to Chile. In that tournament, Colombia was eliminated in the group stage with two draws (4-4 against the USSR and 5-2 vs Yugoslavia) and a 4-0 loss to Uruguay. Vivas didn't play a single minute, but his inclusion marked a historic moment for Colombian football.
His time at Deportivo Pereira
Beyond the national team, 'Achito' Vivas shone in the colors of Deportivo Pereira. Between 1959 and 1970, he made 219 appearances for the club across three spells, becoming one of its greatest idols. His bond with the Risaralda side turned him into a local legend, though his name remains tied to the national team for his role in Colombia's first World Cup.
The last survivors of the 1962 squad
Of that historic group, only two figures remain alive. Hernando 'Mono' Tovar, a defender who still lives in Bogotá, and Eusebio Escobar, a forward based in Cali. They are the last witnesses of an era when Colombia took its first steps on football's biggest stage.
Legacy of a pioneer
Vivas's death closes a chapter in Colombian football history. His story reminds us how the 1962 team paved the way for future generations, including the third-place finish at the 1993 Copa América or fourth place at the 2014 World Cup. Today, with James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz leading Colombia toward the 2026 World Cup, 'Achito's memory lives on as part of the team's identity.
Last result: Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (2026-07-07). Colombia has won three and drawn two of its last five matches, remaining unbeaten in that stretch.
