Thiago Almada’s equaliser rescued a degree for 10-man Argentina of their 1-1 draw with Colombia.
The reigning world and Copa America champions fell behind to Luis Diaz’s great particular person effort within the first half of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at Estadio Mas Monumental.
Enzo Fernandez was then dismissed for the hosts, who’ve already certified for subsequent 12 months’s finals, however Almada earned a share of the spoils with a effective strike within the 81st minute.
Either side went shut through the first half. Deiver Machado fired over from a harmful place for Colombia, whereas Julian Alvarez stung Kevin Mier’s palms from distance on the different finish.
Nevertheless, it was the guests who struck first in emphatic vogue after 24 minutes; Diaz drifting inside from the left flank with a robust run – beating three defenders alongside the best way – earlier than slotting previous Emiliano Martinez.
Lionel Scaloni’s facet went searching for an equaliser. Alvarez noticed a volley dominated out for offside in opposition to the returning Lionel Messi, whereas Fernandez fired over and Nicolas Gonzalez hit the publish from shut vary.
The hosts’ process turned much more tough when Fernandez was proven a straight purple card within the seventieth minute, after the Chelsea midfielder caught Kevin Castano within the face with a excessive boot.
Nonetheless, they dragged themselves degree 9 minutes from time, with Almada driving into the realm earlier than drilling previous Mier and into the far nook.
Colombia virtually regained their benefit when Richard Rios’ free header clipped the surface of the publish, however they needed to accept a degree in Buenos Aires.
Los Cafeteros, who occupy sixth place within the COMNEBOL qualifying part, at the moment are 4 factors away from seventh-place Venezuela, after Los Vinotintos had been crushed 2-0 by Uruguay.
Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored both facet of half-time at Estadio Centenario, as Marcelo Bielsa’s facet moved inside a degree of sealing their qualification for the finals.
In the meantime, Ecuador secured their place within the event with two video games to spare following a 0-0 draw with Peru in Lima; their third successive goalless stalemate.
@Argentina1 (Almada) – #Colombia1 (L. Díaz)
Closing del partido
Hoy fue empate para el campeón del mundo#TodosJuntospic.twitter.com/wv52S1X0rH
—Selección Argentina(@Argentina) June 11, 2025
Knowledge Debrief: Three in a row for Diaz
Diaz, who returned from suspension, continued his spectacular kind throughout this qualifying part, wherein he tops the scoring chart with seven targets.
Following his effective particular person effort, the Liverpool winger has discovered the web in every of his final three World Cup qualifiers, his longest such streak.
Though, it was not sufficient to safe all three factors for Colombia, who at the moment are with out a win in six matches (drawn three, misplaced three).
Almada’s strike means Argentina have now scored seven targets within the final quarter-hour of the second half throughout this CONMBEOL qualifying part, greater than some other nation.
In the meantime, Ecuador sealed their return to the World Cup finals after extending their unbeaten streak in qualifiers to 9 matches (their longest run since at the very least 2006).
Additionally, their tally of 11 clear sheets in 16 matches is essentially the most recorded by any South American facet throughout this qualifying marketing campaign.
