In a dramatic round of World Cup qualifiers, Colombia exacted revenge on Argentina with a 2-1 victory, while Brazil stumbled to a 1-0 loss against Paraguay. These matches, crucial for the 2026 World Cup qualification, highlighted significant shifts in South American football.
Colombia’s Sweet Revenge
Colombia secured a memorable 2-1 win over Argentina, avenging their Copa America final defeat. The victory came on Tuesday at Barranquilla’s Metropolitano Stadium. Captain James Rodriguez played a pivotal role, scoring a crucial 60th-minute penalty. Argentina, the reigning world champions, were without their injured captain Lionel Messi.
Rodriguez reflected on the win, saying, “I don’t think I’ve ever scored against them — there’s a first time for everything.” He added, “We want to get used to playing finals. Today was just another game, but against a team that has won everything — this victory tastes even better.”
Colombia’s win propelled them to second place in the South American qualifiers, with 16 points from eight matches, just two points behind leaders Argentina. The match saw Colombia take the lead in the 25th minute when Rodriguez delivered a cross for Yerson Mosquera to head home.
Argentina equalized shortly after halftime. A misplaced pass from Rodriguez was intercepted by Nicolas Gonzalez, who scored past Colombia’s goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. However, Colombia regained their lead twelve minutes later. A controversial penalty was awarded after Nicolas Otamendi fouled Daniel Munoz. Rodriguez confidently converted the penalty, outsmarting Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez.
Colombia striker Jhon Duran had a chance to make it 3-1 but missed when he shot straight at Martinez.
Brazil’s Struggles Continue
In contrast, Brazil’s qualifying campaign faltered with a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in Asuncion. Diego Gomez of Inter Miami scored the decisive goal with a long-range shot that hit the post in the 20th minute. This loss leaves Brazil in fifth place with 10 points, ahead of Venezuela on goal difference. Paraguay’s victory moved them to seventh place with nine points, marking their second win in the campaign.
Despite the setback, Argentina remains well-positioned for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded tournament will feature 48 teams, with the top six South American qualifiers securing spots in the finals. The seventh-place team will enter an inter-confederation playoff, while the bottom three will be eliminated.
Chile and Ecuador’s Mixed Fortunes
Elsewhere, Chile’s World Cup hopes took a hit with a 2-1 home loss to Bolivia. After winning back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016, Chile missed out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The defeat leaves Chile in ninth place with just five points from eight games, while Bolivia climbed to eighth place on nine points.
On a positive note for Ecuador, they boosted their qualification chances with a 1-0 win over Peru in Quito. Veteran striker Enner Valencia scored the only goal, lifting Ecuador to fourth place with 11 points from eight matches. Peru remains at the bottom of the table with only three points from ten games.
Conclusion
The latest World Cup qualifiers have shifted the dynamics in South American football. Colombia’s victory over Argentina brings them closer to the top, while Brazil’s continued struggles raise concerns. As the competition heats up, teams will need to secure vital points to secure their spots in the 2026 World Cup. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
