2026 World Cup South American Qualifiers Round 16 Argentina 1–1 Colombia

Argentina, Colombia, match schedule

Match Overview

The World Cup South American qualifying match between Argentina and Colombia, held on June 10, 2025, took place at the Estadio Más Monumental located in Buenos Aires. The match started at 8 PM local time, which corresponds to 9 AM the following day in Korea. The result of this match was a 1-1 draw between Argentina and Colombia.

Scoring details

The first goal of the match was scored by Luis Diaz of Colombia. In the 24th minute of the first half, he broke through about 40 meters solo, evading several defenders and finishing cleanly to rattle the net. This goal is significant as it is the first that Colombia has recorded at Monumental since 1993. Later, Argentina's Thiago Almada equalized in the 81st minute of the second half, bringing the match to a draw.

Turning Point of the Game: Enzo's Departure

In the 71st minute of the second half, Argentina's Enzo Fernandez was sent off after striking his opponent's head with a raised foot during a challenge with Kevin Castillo. This moment resulted in an immediate red card without VAR, and Castillo sustained an injury and was substituted. Argentina found themselves at a numerical disadvantage, which had a significant impact on the flow of the match.

Messi's substitution and Almada's equalizer

In the 78th minute of the second half, Argentina's key player Lionel Messi was substituted for reasons of fitness management and tactics. Thiago Almada, who came on in his place, quickly made a significant contribution to the team by scoring the equalizer in the 81st minute. Almada's goal played a crucial role in helping Argentina restore balance to the game despite being in a challenging situation.

Mind Games: Messi vs James

During the match, an argument broke out between Lionel Messi and James Rodríguez. Messi told James, 'You're talking too much,' reflecting that the conflict surrounding last year's Copa America final still lingers. This symbolically highlighted the competitive dynamics between the two teams, making the match even more interesting.

Ranking organization and match interpretation

Argentina secured early qualification for the World Cup with 35 points from this match, while Colombia maintained their automatic qualification spot with 22 points. Brazil and Ecuador also confirmed their qualification, but Chile has been definitively eliminated from the tournament. Colombia finds itself in a must-win situation in the next match. This game held significant meaning for both teams and served as an example of Argentina's organization and Colombia's quick transitions.

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