The Colombian national team beat Argentina (2-1) in the eighth round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a duel in which James Rodríguez led the ‘cafetero’ team to its first victory against the albiceleste in the competition 17 years later.
In a re-run of last year’s Copa América final and without the presence of Leo Messi – who injured his right ankle in that match – Argentina opted for Atlético’s Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez as an attacking duo against a team that had not beaten them in a qualifying round since 2007.
However, the first half was short on football at the Metropolitano in Barranquilla, where Lionel Scaloni’s men were limited to dismantling the home team’s chances. Only a stroke of genius in the 25th minute from James Rodríguez, who put in a brilliant cross that Yerson Mosquera managed to head into the back of the net, broke the tedium.
As soon as the match resumed, the reigning world champions reacted by taking advantage of an error in the ball’s exit by Néstor Lorenzo’s men; Nico González caught the ball and, after entering the area, finished easily past Camilo Vargas (min.47).
However, just five minutes later, Otamendi brought down Muñoz in the area and, after consulting the VAR, the referee awarded a penalty, which James Rodríguez executed masterfully, fooling ‘Dibu’ Martínez. Despite everything, Argentina remains in the lead with 18 points, two more than the Colombians (16), who are second and remain undefeated.