Argentina and Colombia played out an electrifying 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires during a South American World Cup qualifying match. Luis Díaz’s stunning solo goal stunned the hosts, but Thiago Almada rescued a point late on — all while Argentina went down to 10 men after Enzo Fernández’s red card.
Image source:-.foxsports.com
Full Article:-
An enthralling display unfolded at Buenos Aires’ Monumental stadium as Argentina and Colombia shared a 1-1 draw in Matchday 16 of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Colombia struck first through Luis Díaz, who weaved past multiple defenders before finishing clinically, marking the first Colombian goal at the Monumental since 1993.
In a heated mid-match moment, Argentina was reduced to ten men in the 70th minute when Enzo Fernández received a straight red for a reckless high-foot challenge on Colombia’s Kevin Castaño, leaving the Argentine midfield in shock.
But drama wasn’t over. Deep into stoppage time, Argentina’s substitute Thiago Almada delivered a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, leveling the score at 1-1 with just nine minutes left. The equalizer restored Argentina’s unbeaten record at home while delivering a blow to Colombia’s bid for a first win in Buenos Aires since 1993.
Image source:-.firstpost.com
Key Moments & Performance
-
Luis Díaz delivered a moment of world-class brilliance — a breathtaking solo goal past five defenders into the corner — earning Colombia an early lead.
-
Enzo Fernández’s red card left Argentina vulnerable, but also fueled their grit to fight on with resilience.
-
Thiago Almada’s equalizer highlighted Argentina’s never-say-die spirit, silencing the buzz and securing a crucial point.
Implications in Standings
Despite the setback of the draw, Argentina remains atop the CONMEBOL standings with 35 points from 16 matches, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Colombia, reaching 22 points, sits in sixth place — still battling for direct qualification.
Broader Context
Brazil and Ecuador have already sealed their spots for the 2026 World Cup, making Argentina one of three early qualifiers from South America. Meanwhile, Colombia is flirting with continuation hope, as Uruguay trails close behind.
Coach’s Response
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni praised Díaz’s goal:
“I admire Díaz as a player, he’s a crack.”
He confirmed that Messi volunteered to come off late in the game, allowing a fresh threat from Almada
