MONTEVIDEO:
Colombia avenged their Copa America last defeat with a 2-1 victory over Argentina whereas Brazil crashed to a 1-0 defeat towards Paraguay in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.
Skipper James Rodriguez buried a nerveless Sixtieth-minute spot-kick to seal a hard-fought win for Colombia over the reigning world champions, who had been with out injured captain Lionel Messi.
It was candy revenge for Colombia, who had been crushed 1-0 by Argentina in a bitterly disappointing Copa America last loss in Miami two months in the past.
“I do not suppose I’ve ever scored towards them — there is a first time for every part,” Colombia captain Rodriguez stated of his profitable spot-kick.
“We wish to get used to enjoying finals. At the moment was simply one other recreation, however towards a crew that has gained every part — this victory tastes even higher.”
The victory at Barranquilla’s Metropolitano Stadium lifted Colombia into second place in South America’s 10-team qualifying competitors with 16 factors from eight factors, simply two factors behind leaders Argentina.
Colombia, backed by a passionate residence crowd, took the lead within the twenty fifth minute when Rodriguez chipped a cross to the again put up the place Yerson Mosquera rose to move residence.
However three minutes after the interval, the guests drew stage when a misplaced move from Rodriguez was pounced upon by Nicolas Gonzalez, who raced away and slotted previous advancing Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.
Twelve minutes later, although, Colombia restored their lead in controversial trend.
Nicolas Otamendi clattered Daniel Munoz with a wild problem and after a number of minutes, Chilean referee Piero Maza was despatched to the VAR monitor and awarded a penalty.
Rodriguez stepped up and confidently slotted residence, sending Argentina’s penalty specialist Emiliano Martinez the fallacious approach.
Colombia striker Jhon Duran missed an amazing likelihood to make it 3-1 when he was discovered unmarked within the centre of the field however fired straight at Martinez.
Regardless of the defeat, Argentina stay comfortably on the right track for a spot on the 2026 World Cup which is being co-hosted by america, Canada and Mexico.
With the match expanded to 48 groups, the highest six finishers in South American qualifying will win a berth to the finals.
The seventh positioned crew in qualifying goes into an inter-confederation playoff, with the underside three groups eradicated.
5-time world champions Brazil in the meantime continued their unconvincing qualifying marketing campaign with a 1-0 defeat towards Paraguay in Asuncion.
Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez — who’s reportedly as a result of be part of Premier League aspect Brighton on the finish of the season — scored the sport’s solely objective, crashing a long-range shot in off the put up within the twentieth minute.
The defeat leaves Brazil in fifth place within the standings on 10 factors, main by objective distinction from Venezuela, who drew 0-0 at residence to Uruguay on Tuesday.
Paraguay in the meantime moved into seventh place on 9 factors after simply their second win of the qualifying marketing campaign.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Chile’s hopes of qualifying suffered one other physique blow after they slumped to a 2-1 loss at residence to Bolivia.
After profitable back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016, the Chileans didn’t qualify for each the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The prospect of lacking out on a 3rd straight match loomed nearer after targets from Carmelo Algaranaz and Miguel Terceros handed Bolivia a 2-1 win.
The victory left Chile languishing in ninth place within the standings with simply 5 factors from eight video games as Bolivia climbed into eighth, trailing seventh-placed Paraguay on objective distinction.
Ecuador in the meantime boosted their qualification hopes with a 1-0 win over Peru in Quito because of a objective from veteran striker Enner Valencia.
Ecuador sit in fourth place within the standings with 11 factors from eight video games. Peru stay backside of the desk with simply three factors from 10 video games.