Against Colombia, the Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni left the Parisians Paredes and Di Maria on the bench, preferring to line up Guido Rodriguez as a sentry and Nico Gonzalez in attack, alongside the Messi-Martinez, very prominent at the start of the match.
Well launched in the surface by Lo Celso, the Argentinian number 10 got rid of Mina’s marking and centered back for the Inter Milan striker, who opened the scoring with a flat foot (7th).
The Colombian reaction was not long in coming. Back from suspension, Cuadrado wanted to celebrate his hundredth cap with a goal, but his strike was deflected by Emiliano Martinez.
Colombia were more and more pressing, hitting the wood twice in quick succession, with a shot blocked by Barrios pushed back by the post (35th) and a header from Mina on the crossbar (36th).
Argentina woke up just before the break, with a close range header from Gonzalez deflected by Ospina.
The Colombian efforts were finally rewarded, with a fantastic ride of louis diaz, who overtook Pezzella and beat the exit of the Argentinian goalkeeper (61st), on a bright opening from Cardona.
Scaloni finally decided to bring in Di Maria, who put Argentina back in the right direction. The Parisian winger delivered two caviars at the end of the match, but saw Lautaro Martinez miss the inevitable by shooting wide (73rd) and Messi shooting the post (80th).
It was finally Emiliano Martinez who qualified the Argentinians, stopping the shots on goal from Sanchez, Mina and Cardona.
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