James Rodriguez secures Colombia’s 2-1 win against Messi-less Argentina in World Cup Qualifier

Colombia continued its unbeaten start to the Conmebol FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with a 2-1 win over Argentina in Baranquilla on Tuesday.

Argentina had the major absence of its captain and star player Lionel Messi, who is still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained in the final of the Copa America 2024, against Colombia.

In a very physical match and with some controversial decisions by the referee, Nestor Lorenzo’s team won and remains unbeaten in these South American qualifiers.

Despite the loss, Lionel Scaloni reached 79 matches in charge of the Argentine National Team, the same number as Cesar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo.

The only one who surpasses the three of them is Guillermo Stábile, who coached 124 matches in two stages and was Copa America champion on six occasions.

Captain Rodriguez stepped up to rifle a shot into the top right hand corner to put the host back in front against the world and continental champions.

Colombia had multiple chances to seal the result at the end, including an effort from Jhon Duran whose shot following a lay off from the left was timid and straight at his club teammate Emiliano Martinez.

The win lifted Colombia to second on the table with 16 points from eight games, two behind leader Argentina. Colombia next travels to Bolivia while Lionel Scaloni’s team will face Venezuela away from home.