BARRANQUILLA, Colombia —
With a penalty goal and an assist from James Rodríguez, Colombia took revenge for its defeat in the recent Copa América final and beat Argentina 2-1 on Tuesday in the eighth round of South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The Colombian captain led the home team to victory with a goal in the 60th minute and a precise pass for Yerson Mosquera to head home. James was once again the star of the show, as he was in the continental championship played in the United States between June and July, where he was chosen as the best player.
A mistake by James led to Argentina’s temporary equaliser in the 48th minute. A poor back pass from the new signing from Spain’s Rayo Vallecano sent Nicolas Gonzalez racing, who stole the ball and raced in front of goalkeeper Vargas, beating him with a shot between his legs.
“It’s a good win, against an Argentina that has won everything,” said Rodriguez after the match. “The weather was tough, it was very hot, but we played an excellent game. It’s a fair win.”
Undefeated in the qualifiers, Colombia reached 16 points, two less than Argentina, which despite the defeat remains in the lead.
At the Metropolitano stadium in Barranquilla, under a strong heat that reached 32 degrees Celsius during the match, Colombia began with control of the ball, while Argentina waited in an orderly fashion with two lines of four, leaving Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez as options in attack.
Without their captain Lionel Messi due to injury, the Albiceleste did not exert high pressure, as they did in their previous match against Chile in Buenos Aires, which ended with a 3-0 victory, but instead tried to slow down the pace of the match and take advantage of each break to recover energy.
“The timing of the match is not good, it could be played at 5, 6, 7 in the afternoon,” said Scaloni. “I don’t think it’s healthy for the players to develop their potential, the heat is the same for both, that’s what there is, but it’s clear that the conditions for watching a spectacle are not good.”
Colombia’s first chance came in the eighth minute with a corner kick that the world champions defended with all their men in the area.
It was a warning of what would happen next.
In the 24th minute, Rodriguez — who regained his place in the starting lineup after being substituted on Friday in the 1-1 draw against Peru — sent a through ball to Luis Diaz, who was saved by a providential tackle from Nicolas Otamendi.
The corner was then again James’ turn, who took a short and quick pass to Jhon Arias and, after receiving the ball again, he sent a cross from the byline, which Mosquera headed past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
James reached 11 assists in his career in the South American qualifiers and surpassed Carlos Valderrama’s record.
“To beat the best team of the moment, you have to do many things well,” explained Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo. “It was a close game, not very attractive, but when we had to score, we scored; and when we had to play, we created opportunities.”
The goal against and the hydration break invited Argentina to push its lines forward, but it was unable to demand much from Vargas in the first period.
After the break, Argentina found a concession from Colombia that allowed them to equalize the match.
Colombia stepped up the pace again and five minutes later forced a foul inside Otamendi’s area when full-back Daniel Muñoz arrived, which was not initially called by Chilean referee Piero Maza.
After a lengthy review by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty, which gave James the opportunity to forget his mistake and become a key figure for the hosts once again.
The Colombian number 10 fooled “Dibu” Martínez and, with his excellent shot, sent his shot into the corner to give his team the lead again.
“For me, on the pitch, it wasn’t a penalty. Nico (Otamendi) dived forward,” complained Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes. “Beyond the penalty decision, it was a close game. The heat is no excuse, even though we’re not used to it.”
Rodríguez reached 13 goals in World Cup pre-matches and equalled Radamel Falcao García’s record.
Scaloni refreshed his team with the entry of Marcos Acuña and Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Nahuel Molina, who came on at half-time.
Colombia, more accustomed to the heat of its home court, did not make any changes until the 79th minute when Kevin Castaño and Jhon Córdoba came onto the pitch.
One of those substituted was Jhon Arias, who received a standing ovation from those present for his performance in midfield.
Despite the need to go for the result, Argentina showed signs of fatigue in the final stretch and could not avoid its first defeat since last November when they lost against Uruguay.
