James Rodriguez struck a winner from the penalty spot as Colombia avenged their Copa America closing defeat with a 2-1 victory over Argentina in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.
Colombia skipper Rodriguez buried a nerveless sixtieth minute spot-kick to seal a pulsating win over reigning world champions Argentina, who have been with out injured captain Lionel Messi.
It was candy revenge for Colombia, who have been crushed 1-0 by Argentina in a bitterly disappointing Copa America closing in Miami in July.
The victory at Barranquilla’s Metropolitano Stadium lifted Colombia into second place in South America’s 10-team qualifying competitors with 16 factors from eight factors, simply two factors behind leaders Argentina.
Colombia, backed by a passionate dwelling crowd, took the lead within the twenty fifth minute when Rodriguez chipped a cross to the again submit the place Yerson Mosquera rose to go dwelling.
With Rodriguez prompting in midfield and the pacy Luis Diaz a menace down the flanks, Colombia have been effectively on prime within the opening half towards a sluggish Argentina.
However three minutes after the interval, the guests drew stage when a misplaced move from Rodriguez was pounced upon by Nicolas Gonzalez, who raced away, held off Mosquera and slotted previous advancing Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.
Twelve minutes later, although, Colombia restored their lead in controversial trend.
Nicolas Otamendi clattered Daniel Munoz with a wild problem and after a number of minutes, Chilean referee Piero Maza was despatched to the VAR monitor and awarded a penalty.
Rodriguez stepped as much as the spot, towards Argentina’s penalty specialist Emiliano Martinez and confidently slotted dwelling, sending the keeper the flawed manner.
Colombia striker Jhon Duran missed an ideal probability to make it 3-1 when he was discovered unmarked within the centre of the field however fired straight at Martinez.
– Chile hunch –
Regardless of the defeat, Argentina stay comfortably on track for a spot on the 2026 World Cup which is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
With the event expanded to 48 groups, the highest six finishers in South American qualifying will win a berth to the finals.
The seventh positioned group in qualifying goes into an inter-confederation playoff, with the underside three groups eradicated.
In different video games in South America on Tuesday, Chile’s hopes of qualifying suffered one other bodyblow after they slumped to a 2-1 loss at dwelling to Bolivia.
After profitable back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016, the Chileans did not qualify for each the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The prospect of lacking out on a 3rd straight event loomed nearer on Tuesday after targets from Carmelo Algaranaz and Miguel Terceros handed Bolivia a 2-1 win.
The victory left Chile languishing in ninth place within the standings with simply 5 factors from eight video games as Bolivia climbed into seventh.
Ecuador in the meantime boosted their qualification hopes with a 1-0 win over Peru in Quito due to a objective from veteran striker Enner Valencia.
Ecuador sit in fourth place within the standings with 11 factors from eight video games.
In later video games on Tuesday, five-time world champions Brazil face Paraguay in Asuncion whereas Venezuela host Uruguay.
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