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Colombia Shocks Argentina With Victory In World Cup Qualifiers
Colombia faced Argentina in Barranquilla to exact some revenge for their earlier Copa America final defeat.
The match ended in a thrilling 2-1 victory for Colombia, with the result marking La Albiceleste’s first defeat on the road in FIFA World Cup qualifying since 2017.
A Historic Encounter
The stakes were high as Colombia looked to bounce back against their South American rivals. Despite having suffered two defeats to Argentina earlier in the year, the hosts came out determined, showing an eagerness to conquer this mountain.
Their quick start was promising; however, they were nearly undone by an early mistake from goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. In a moment of misjudgment, Vargas was dispossessed on the edge of his area by Julian Alvarez, but the Argentine forward failed to capitalize on the opportunity as he fired wide from a tight angle.
However, Colombia’s resilience shone through as they bounded from that scare.
By the 25th minute, they display their attacking quality with a well-worked opening goal. James Rodriguez, the talismanic captain, orchestrated the play beautifully. After a clever one-two at the corner flag, Rodriguez managed to deliver a perfect cross to the back post. There, Yerson Mosquera rose above the Argentina defense, heading in the ball powerfully for a momentous first international goal.
Argentina’s Response
Having gone into the halftime break without registering a single shot on target, Argentina returned to the pitch with renewed spirit and urgency.
Their determination paid off within the first three minutes of the second half. Nicolás González capitalized on a loose ball in the Colombian midfield, making a remarkable run that left Mosquera trailing before sliding the ball beneath Vargas to level the scoreline.
The Argentine players celebrated with relief and hope, though the joy was short-lived.
A VAR Drama and Colombian Resilience
Just as it appeared that Argentina might take control of the match, a decisive moment occurred that swung the momentum back to Colombia.
Following a VAR review, a penalty kick was awarded to the hosts after Nicolas Otamendi’s reckless challenge on Daniel Munoz.
With tension high, James Rodriguez stepped up to take the penalty. Faced with the daunting challenge of going up against Emiliano Martínez, known for his exceptional penalty-saving abilities, Rodriguez showed unwavering composure, slotting the ball home to restore Colombia’s lead.
Now trailing once again, Argentina found themselves under pressure to respond.
However, their push for an equalizer left them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Colombian forward Jhon Duran had a golden opportunity to seal the victory, but he was denied by his Aston Villa teammate Martínez in a crucial moment that could have put the match beyond reach for Argentina.
As the minutes ticked away, Colombia continued to look the more dangerous side. The visitors’ attacking efforts in the closing stages left much to be desired, raising concerns about their ability to capitalize when it mattered most.
Implications and Reflections
The defeat represents a tough blow for Argentina, whose lead at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings has now been cut to just two points, reflecting their struggles in the campaign with two defeats in four fixtures.
Meanwhile, Colombia remains unbeaten in this qualification cycle, highlighting their strong form and determination to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.
