World Cup 2026: From a Missed Shot on the Field to a Nightmare Off It

During extra time, Campaz—a player currently with Argentina's Rosario Central—had a chance to score the winning goal for Colombia, but his shot went wide of the post. After Colombia's elimination, this moment quickly became a focal point of criticism on social media, triggering a wave of threats against the 25-year-old midfielder and his family.

On July 10, the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) issued a statement strongly condemning these threats. The FCF emphasized: "No player or any member of their family should have to endure threats simply for representing their country on the field. Football must be a space of unity, respect, and hope, not a breeding ground for hatred, threats, or violence." The FCF also urged the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia to urgently investigate and identify those responsible for spreading the threats.

Amid the wave of attacks, Campaz posted on Instagram a photo of himself covering his face in disappointment after the match, along with a plea for fans to remain respectful. The midfielder wrote: "Football also has its difficult moments. My dear country Colombia, please never lose your respect. We can be sad and disappointed, but no passion can justify hatred or force others to live in fear."

Campaz's case also revived the most painful memory in Colombian football history. At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal in a 2-1 loss to the host nation. Just days after Colombia's elimination and return home, Escobar was murdered in Medellín, in a case that shocked the world.

More than 30 years have passed, but Colombian football has not fully escaped the shadow of that tragedy. What happened to Campaz serves as yet another warning about the dark side of social media and the extremism of some fans, where on-field failures are pushed far beyond the boundaries of sport, turning into threats and real-life violence.