Two teams trending in very different directions meet on Tuesday as Colombia travels to Cordoba to take on Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification.
Argentina has already clinched, winning four of its last five qualifiers and cruising along even without Lionel Messi’s leadership. In fact, the Albiceleste sport the longest active winning streak in international soccer, sitting at 28 matches unbeaten, which dates back to July of 2019.
Colombia, meanwhile, is in a dire position. With just three matches to go, Los Cafeteros sit two points outside the qualification spots after a crushing 1-0 home defeat to Peru last time out. The loss saw Peru leap into the qualification zone despite Colombia’s dominance throughout the 90 minutes. Colombia ripped off 30 shots, accumulating an expected goals tally just shy of 3.0 xG, but came up empty on the scoresheet.
MORE: Updated CONMEBOL qualifying standings & schedule
Now, the two renew a fierce rivalry that last materialized in the 2021 Copa America semifinals, producing a thrilling 1-1 draw that saw eventual champions Argentina progress through to the final on Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez’s penalty shootout heroics.
Sporting News will be following the match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Argentina vs. Colombia live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Argentina | – | – | – |
| Colombia | – | – | – |
Goals:
None
(All times Eastern)
5:25 p.m.: A nice message from Argentina urging supporters to be kind while attending the matches and supporting the team.
➡️ Este partido lo jugamos todos juntos
Recordá hoy alentar a la Selección @Argentina sin cantos discriminatorios u ofensivos para nuestros rivales ???????? #NoALaDiscriminación#NoAlRacismo#NoALaXenofobia pic.twitter.com/ong2xm8Bsc
— Selección Argentina ???????? (@Argentina) February 1, 2022
4:45 p.m.: Elsewhere in CONMEBOL, the pitch was a nightmare in Bolivia for their match against Chile, delaying kickoff. Look at all that water!
A una hora de que empiece Bolivia-Chile, así sacan el agua de la cancha. pic.twitter.com/Qc0msBki1F
— Martin Charquero (@MartinCharquero) February 1, 2022
Kickoff delayed. The field looks like a swimming pool. They have the squeegees out. ???? https://t.co/x7hQ32CUsE
— Carmine Bianco (@CarmineBiancoWT) February 1, 2022
4:30 p.m.: Colombia is fighting hard for a World Cup place, but Los Cafeteros will also be on the prowl for revenge from the Copa America, when these two teams met in the semifinals, with Argentina winning in the penalty shootout. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved three out of five penalties in the shootout, a memorable moment in the tournament to push Argentina towards its eventual crown.
Argentina, the Copa America champions, play Colombia today in the World Cup qualifiers. Their last match against each other was back at the Copa America. One name, Emiliano Martínez. pic.twitter.com/5Ddc9p9qTu
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) February 1, 2022
Argentina vs. Colombia lineups
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has the freedom to do as he pleases, with Argentina already qualified for the World Cup. Still, it expects to be a strong starting lineup in a rivalry match.
Scaloni himself returns to the bench after missing the last match due to COVID-19, and Guido Rodriguez also has recovered from his positive test. The likes of Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo de Paul, and Leandro Paredes are all suspended for yellow card accumulation, a big chunk of contributing players to work around. Also, Lionel Messi is not part of the roster for this international window due to his recent bout with COVID-19, allowing him rest with the national already secured a spot in the 2022 World Cup.
That means big changes to the starting lineup for Argentina from the 2-1 win over Chile on Thursday, including a likely rotation of the entire three-man midfield. With Paredes out, Rodriguez comes into midfield, while De Paul is replaced by Giovanni Lo Celso. Finally, Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez is lacking fitness, set to be replaced by Lucas Ocampos.
At the back, Otamendi is set to be replaced by German Pezzella in central defense, with Tagliafico’s spot filled by Marcos Acuna. Up front, the only wrinkle from last match is Nicolas Gonzalez on the wing, who could be swapped for Paulo Dybala.
Argentina projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez (GK) — Montiel, Pezzella, Lisandro Martinez, Acuna – Ocampos, G. Rodriguez, Lo Celso – Dybala, Lautaro Martinez, Di Maria.
Argentina subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
Like Argentina, Colombia also has a suspension to worry about, with Yerry Mina out for yellow card accumulation, having already departed to rejoin Everton. That leaves William Tesillo to take his place at the back alongside Davinson Sanchez.
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New Liverpool man Luis Diaz will retain his place on the left, while Miguel Borja could come into the side for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Rafael Borre on the opposite flank. Manager Reinaldo Rueda will have a call to make in midfield, either sticking with Porto’s Mateus Uribe who struggled in the loss to Peru, or switch to Brighton’s Steven Alzate.
Otherwise, it should be a very similar look for Colombia in a bounce-back opportunity.
Colombia projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Ospina (GK) — Cuadrado, Tesillo, D. Sanchez, Mojica — J. Rodriguez, Barrios, Uribe – Diaz, Falcao, Borja.
Colombia subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
How to watch Argentina vs. Colombia
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 1
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: —
- Streaming: fuboTV
The South American World Cup qualifiers are available exclusively on fuboTV in the United States.
Argentina closes out qualifying with a home game against Venezuela (March 24) and a road trip to face Ecuador (March 29). The Colombian side will play two likely must-win matches at home against Bolivia (March 24) and away to what will be an already-eliminated Venezuela (March 29).
Argentina vs. Colombia betting lines, picks & prediction
Argentina has little to play for at this point, but that hasn’t stopped Luis Scaloni from continuing to deploy a first-choice lineup to build chemistry in preparation for this winter’s World Cup. In doing so, they’ve tormented the competition.
Chile’s goal against Argentina in the 2-1 win for the Albiceleste was the first goal Argentina had allowed in 561 minutes of World Cup qualification action, all the way back to a meaningless late goal scored by Venezuela to cap a a 3-1 result back in early September. In the six-match clean sheet streak, which included a game against Brazil, Argentina conceded just 17 shots on target. Even without the first-choice defenders, this Argentina group defends extremely well with both possession and structure.
On the flip side, it is just the opposite: Colombia’s finishing has been brutally bad. Los Cafeteros failed to find the back of the net amid a flurry of 30 shots against Peru last time out, putting just two on frame, the latest in a long line of misfires. Colombia now sits at a cataclysmic six World Cup qualifying matches without a single score, a goalless streak of 556 minutes.
One team is on a historic winning streak, the other can’t find the back of the net. The form is clear.
Pick: Argentina to win to zero (+210)
Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Colombia
- Moneyline: Argentina -110 / Draw +250 / Colombia +340
- Spread: Argentina -0.5 (-120) / Colombia +0.5 (-110)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over +145 / Under -180
- Both teams to score: Yes +115 / No -145
