ARGENTINA gave away a two-goal lead and dropped some more points in Colombia in their final World Cup qualifier before the upcoming Copa America.
2022 World Cup qualification South America
2-2
Match Report
The Albiceleste were hoping to come closer to table toppers Brazil and their hopes were boosted when they scored two goals in just five minutes.
Cristian Romero gave the visitors the lead in the third minute with a thunderous header following a neat cross by Rodrigo de Paul, which marked the young defender’s maiden international goal.
Leandro Paredes doubled Argentina’s lead after eight minutes when he took advantage of some confusion in Colombia’s box and beat David Ospina with a fine finish.
However, disaster struck in the dying minutes of first half when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez clashed in the air with Yerry Mina.
Martinez fell awkwardly and was unable to continue so the Aston Villa ace was replaced by Agustin Marchesin.
Colombia started strong in the second half and got on the board after 51 minutes when they were awarded a penalty following a careless elbow by Nicolas Otamendi.
Luis Muriel beat Marchesin from the spot with a composed finish and brought the live crowd to life.
Reinaldo Rueda’s men pushed for a winner and finally got it in the fourth minute of stoppage time with Miguel Borja’s header after Juan Cuadrado’s fabulous cross from the right flank.
Marchesin failed to hold on to the ball and wild celebrations erupted all over the stadium as the referee blew his whistle one final time.
Argentina are now second in the table with six points separating them from high flyers Brazil while Colombia occupy fifth place.
Both teams will now have their sights set in the upcoming Copa America as they will both be in action on Monday.
Argentina will take on Chile whereas Colombia are going to lock horns with Ecuador
Line-ups
Colombia XI: Ospina, Zapata, Cuadrado, G. Cuéllar, S. Medina, W. Tesillo, M. Uribe, Lerma, Mina, Sanchez, L. Díaz
Subs: C. Vargas, O. Murillo, E. Cardona, Muriel, S. Pérez, M. Borja, W. Barrios, Borré, Y. Moreno, A. Quintana, C. Cuesta, J. Campaz
Argentina XI: Messi, Otamendi, E. Martinez, Paredes, Acuna, De Paul, Lo Celso, Lautaro, G. Montiel, Romero, N. Gonzalez
Subs: Aguero, Marchesin, Di Maria, Tagliafico, Pezzella, Correa, Musso, Correa, E. Palacios, Foyth, Dominguez, Martinez