
Final Score: Colombia 2-1 Argentina
Date: November 2024
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers (CONMEBOL)
Venue: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia
Match Summary:
In a dramatic encounter in Barranquilla, Colombia pulled off a stunning 2-1 win over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The match saw Argentina fall to their first defeat in the qualifiers, as Colombia produced a brilliant second-half performance to secure all three points.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, took the lead early in the match, but Colombia fought back strongly, showing resilience and tactical discipline to overturn the deficit and claim a famous victory. The result marks a significant boost for Colombia‘s World Cup aspirations and sends shockwaves through the CONMEBOL qualification standings.
Key Moments of the Match:
1st Half:
- Argentina’s Early Lead:
- Argentina took the lead in the 15th minute with a clinical goal from Lautaro Martínez. The Argentine forward latched onto a through ball from Lionel Messi, neatly finishing past Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina. The early goal put Argentina in control of the match as they looked to build on their dominance.
- Colombia’s Response:
- Despite conceding early, Colombia fought back and managed to contain Argentina’s attack. Messi had a few dangerous moments, but Ospina made crucial saves to keep Colombia in the game. Colombia’s best chance came from a well-executed counter-attack, but Argentina’s defense held firm to maintain the 1-0 lead going into halftime.
2nd Half:
- Colombia’s Turnaround:
- In the second half, Colombia came out with renewed energy and leveled the score in the 55th minute. A precise cross from Luis Díaz found Radamel Falcao, who headed home to make it 1-1. The equalizer gave Colombia the confidence to push forward.
- The Winner – Colombia 2-1 Argentina:
- Just 10 minutes later, Colombia completed the turnaround with a superb long-range strike from Juan Cuadrado. The Juventus winger unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez could only watch as it flew into the top corner. The crowd erupted, and Colombia were 2-1 up with 30 minutes to play.
- Argentina’s Response:
- Argentina pushed hard for an equalizer, but Colombia’s defense, led by Yerry Mina and Davinson Sánchez, held firm. Messi had a few chances to salvage a point, but David Ospina was in inspired form, making key saves to deny Argentina.
Post-Match Reactions:
- Lionel Messi:
- “It was a tough match, and we couldn’t handle the pressure in the second half. We had chances, but we didn’t convert. Colombia played well and deserved the win. We need to regroup and focus on our next match.”
- Colombia Coach, Néstor Lorenzo:
- “I am proud of the team’s resilience. We knew Argentina would be difficult, but we stuck to our game plan. We fought for every ball and took our chances. This win is a big step towards qualifying for the World Cup.”
- Argentina Coach, Lionel Scaloni:
- “It’s disappointing to lose, but this is part of football. We’ve been unbeaten for a long time, but we have to learn from this. We must bounce back quickly as the qualifiers are still long, and we have more challenges ahead.”
Key Players:
- Juan Cuadrado (Colombia):
- The Juventus winger was a standout performer, scoring the crucial winning goal and playing a key role in Colombia’s attack. His pace and creativity were central to their second-half turnaround.
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina):
- Martínez was the brightest spark for Argentina, scoring their only goal and providing a constant threat to Colombia’s defense throughout the match.
- David Ospina (Colombia):
- The Colombian goalkeeper made several crucial saves, including denying Messi on multiple occasions. Ospina’s performance was instrumental in Colombia keeping Argentina at bay in the second half.
Brazil Stunned in Another Upset
In other CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying action, Brazil was also stunned by an unexpected defeat in their match. Brazil went down 1-0 to Ecuador in Quito, marking another surprising result in the South American qualifiers. Brazil, who are typically dominant in the region, struggled to break down Ecuador’s defense, and a second-half goal from Enner Valencia sealed the victory for Ecuador, leaving Brazil with much to do in their remaining qualifiers.
Standings Implications:
- Colombia’s victory over Argentina is a major boost for their qualification hopes, as they climb up the CONMEBOL standings, putting pressure on the top teams.
- Argentina’s defeat leaves them still in a strong position but reminds them that the road to 2026 will not be easy. They will need to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
- Brazil’s shock defeat to Ecuador leaves the Selecao with questions to answer, and they will need to regroup quickly to maintain their lead at the top of the standings.