Colombia secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Argentina on Tuesday in a dramatic World Cup qualifier, avenging their defeat in the Copa America final two months earlier. The win, led by a composed penalty from captain James Rodriguez, not only lifted Colombia to second place in the South American qualifying standings but also sent a clear message that they are a force to be reckoned with on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina, playing without their talisman Lionel Messi due to injury, struggled to maintain control against a determined and resilient Colombian side that capitalized on key moments to clinch the win.
Rodriguez, who had never scored against Argentina before, was ecstatic after the victory. “There’s always a first time, and to score against a team as successful as Argentina makes this win even sweeter,” said Rodriguez. “It was just another match for us, but beating the reigning world champions adds a special flavor to this victory.”
Colombia’s Early Dominance
Colombia took the lead in the 25th minute, with Rodriguez playing a pivotal role. He delivered a well-placed cross to the far post, where Yerson Mosquera rose above the Argentine defense to head the ball into the net, sending the passionate home crowd in Barranquilla into a frenzy.
However, Argentina responded early in the second half. Nicolas Gonzalez capitalized on a misplaced pass from Rodriguez, sprinting past Colombia’s defenders before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. It was a moment of redemption for Argentina, but their joy was short-lived.
The decisive moment came in the 60th minute when Nicolas Otamendi fouled Colombia’s Daniel Munoz with a reckless challenge. After a lengthy review at the VAR monitor, Chilean referee Piero Maza awarded a penalty to Colombia. Rodriguez stepped up and calmly sent Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez the wrong way, restoring Colombia’s lead and ultimately securing the victory.
Despite a late chance for Colombia to extend their lead through Jhon Duran, who missed a clear opportunity in the box, the match ended 2-1, allowing Colombia to take revenge for their Copa America final defeat to Argentina.
Argentina’s Challenge Without Messi
Argentina, despite the loss, remains in a comfortable position in the South American World Cup qualifying standings. Even without their iconic captain Messi, they showed resilience but lacked the attacking edge needed to overcome Colombia’s determined defense.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni remained optimistic after the match. “We played well in stretches but missed Messi’s creative influence. This is a long qualifying campaign, and we’re still in a good position,” he said.
Argentina remains at the top of the standings with 18 points, while Colombia’s win lifted them to second place with 16 points from eight games. With the top six teams in South American qualifying earning direct spots for the expanded 2026 World Cup, Argentina is still on course to secure their place in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Brazil’s Struggles Continue with 1-0 Defeat to Paraguay
Elsewhere in South American qualifying, Brazil suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Paraguay in Asuncion, continuing their unsteady campaign. The only goal of the match came in the 20th minute when Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez fired a long-range shot that struck the post before nestling in the back of the net.
Brazil, traditionally one of the powerhouses in world football, has been struggling in the qualifiers, and this defeat leaves them in fifth place in the standings with 10 points. Although they are tied with Venezuela on points, they lead on goal difference.
Brazil’s coach, Fernando Diniz, acknowledged the team’s lackluster performance. “We need to find consistency. Paraguay played with intensity, and we failed to match them,” Diniz said.
Paraguay’s victory lifted them to seventh place with nine points, giving them hope as they aim to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
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Chile’s Qualification Hopes Fade After Loss to Bolivia
Chile’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup took a serious hit after a 2-1 home defeat to Bolivia. After consecutive Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016, Chile has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, and this latest defeat leaves them in ninth place with only five points from eight games.
Bolivia, meanwhile, secured a vital win thanks to goals from Carmelo Algaranaz and Miguel Terceros, climbing into eighth place, just ahead of Chile on goal difference. The loss adds pressure on Chile to turn their fortunes around if they want to avoid missing a third straight World Cup.
Ecuador Boosts Qualification Chances with 1-0 Win Over Peru
Ecuador strengthened their position in the qualification standings with a 1-0 victory over Peru in Quito. Veteran striker Enner Valencia scored the game’s only goal, helping Ecuador climb to fourth place with 11 points. Peru, meanwhile, continues to struggle at the bottom of the standings, with just three points from 10 games.
The road to the 2026 World Cup remains competitive, with several teams vying for the limited spots in the expanded tournament. Colombia’s win over Argentina and Brazil’s ongoing struggles highlight just how unpredictable and intense South American qualifying can be.
