Argentina managed a 1-1 draw against Colombia in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier, a match filled with drama and excitement. The game saw Liverpool's Luis Díaz score a stunning solo goal that initially put Colombia ahead, silencing the home crowd.
Diaz's goal, a beautiful display of skill and agility, involved him weaving through several Argentine defenders before slotting the ball past Emiliano Martínez. This gave Colombia an unexpected lead and put pressure on the reigning World Champions.
The second half saw more drama as Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández received a red card for a high challenge on Kevin Castaño. The tackle resulted in a bloody injury, further complicating matters for Argentina. Shortly after, a visibly subdued Lionel Messi was substituted, adding to the tension.
However, Argentina found a lifeline in Thiago Almada, the former Atlanta United player, who scored a crucial equalizer in the 81st minute. Almada's precise shot found the bottom corner, beating the outstretched dive of Colombia's goalkeeper, Kevin Mier.
The draw keeps Colombia in sixth place in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, as they continue their pursuit of an automatic qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup. The result also extended Colombia's winless streak to six games. Argentina remains at the top of the table with 35 points from 16 matches.
In other news, Brazil secured their spot at the World Cup with a victory over Paraguay, adding another layer of excitement to the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
Looking Ahead: Messi and Inter Miami in the Club World Cup
Following the qualifier, Lionel Messi is now focused on leading Inter Miami in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Inter Miami will face Egyptian club Al Ahly in their opening match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
FIFA Club World Cup: Must-Watch Group Stage Games
The expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is set to take place from June 14 to July 13 across the United States. Here are some exciting group-stage matches to look forward to:
- Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami CF (June 14, Miami Gardens)
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid (June 15, Pasadena)
- Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders FC (June 15, Seattle)
- Chelsea FC vs. LAFC (June 16, Atlanta)
- Fluminense vs. Borussia Dortmund (June 17, East Rutherford, N.J.)