The Colombia National Team stands on the brink of a pivotal moment as it faces Peru. Securing a victory is crucial for consolidating their position among the top six in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, head coach Nestor Lorenzo made a surprising decision by leaving Liverpool’s star, Luis Díaz, out of the starting lineup, which has stirred discussion among fans.
Despite his absence puzzled many, it is not a tactical choice as Luis is absent due to an accumulation of yellow cards, including one from the 2-2 draw against Paraguay. The real surprise came when manager Nestor Lorenzo left young talent Yaser Asprilla out of the lineup for tactical reasons, instead giving a key opportunity to Real Betis striker Juan Camilo Hernandez against Peru.
Juan Camilo seizes his opportunities in La Liga with Real Betis, establishing himself as a center forward. This role contrasts sharply with Luis Diaz’s position who plays a key role in Colombia’s attack, launching from the left wing with impressive speed. Meanwhile, Nestor Lorenzo adjusts his tactics to strengthen Colombia’s offense. He aims to do so by using a two-striker system.
In this setup, Hernandez starts on the left but quickly shifts into a secondary striker role beside Jhon Jader Duran. Even if this strategy boosts the team’s scoring potential, it leaves aside explosive side from a natural left-wing as Juan Camilo is not as fast as the Liverpool star. As a result, left-back Cristian Borja gains more attacking freedom. He takes full control of the left side and enjoys a more offensive role.
How has Juan Camilo Hernandez performed in the Colombian national team?
Since his debut for the Colombia national team in October 2018, Juan Camilo Hernandez has received just six call-ups. He scored twice in his first match, a friendly against Costa Rica. However, he has not scored again in the following appearances. As a result, he has often been left out of the squad.
Even so, it does not reflect his current form. Since moving from Columbus Crew in MLS to Real Betis, Hernandez has regained attention. Head coach Nestor Lorenzo recognized his improvement and gave him a key opportunity to showcase his talent against Peru. With more playing time, he could settle into his role and prove his true ability, just as he did in MLS, where he recorded 19 goals and 10 assists during the 2024 season.