Enzo Fernandez was sent in the 71st minute but Thiago Almada equalized for Argentina 10 minutes later and rescued a 1-1 draw with Colombia in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
MORE — Which teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Luis Diaz opened the scoring with a fantastic solo goal midway through the first half and Argentina trailed for much of the game already, before Fernandez put his studs into the face and forehead of Kevin Castano. There was little debate about the red card that was shown, but Almada had a bit of magic up his own sleeve as he split the Colombian defense and tucked a low finish inside the far post from a tough angle.
The reigning world champions (35 points) have already qualified for next summer’s tournament and sit 10 points above the rest of CONMEBOL with two games left to play in September. Colombia (22 points) sit 6th, four points ahead of 7th-place Venezuela. 6th place is an automatic qualification spot, while 7th is only good for a place in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Argentina vs Colombia live updates - by Andy Edwards
Argentina vs Colombia final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Luis Diaz (24'), Thiago Almada (81')
GOAL! Argentina 1-1 Colombia: Thiago Almada equalizes down a man (81')
¡Gooool de Argentina! ⚽ Thiago pone el 1-1 ante Colombia pic.twitter.com/Ni5SanJ8YK
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 11, 2025
RED CARD! Enzo Fernandez sent off for a high boot (71')
¡Argentina se queda con uno menos! 🔴 Enzo se va expulsado por una patada a Castaño en la cara 🤯#EliminatoriasConmebol pic.twitter.com/KVdhlaqhTb
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 11, 2025
GOAL! Argentina 0-1 Colombia: Luis Diaz weaves his way through to open the scoring (24')
¡Gooool de Colombia!⚽ Luis Díaz abre el marcador después de una gran jugada individual🔥 pic.twitter.com/84KKSTxrJv
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 11, 2025
Argentina starting lineup
Martinez - Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Medina - De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Almada - Messi, Alvarez
Colombia starting lineup
Mier - Munoz, Lucumi, Sanchez, Machado - Lerma, Castano, Rios, Rodriguez, Campaz, Diaz
How to watch Argentina vs Colombia live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 8pm ET, Tuesday (June 10)
Venue: Estadio Mas Monumental — Buenos Aires, Argentina
Streaming, TV channel: Telemundo en Espanol
Messi’s minutes have been managed and he came off the bench as Argentina won 1-0 at struggling Chile on Thursday. The Inter Miami star is the joint-leading goalscorer in South American World Cup qualifying with six goals and the 37-year-old is still the key player for the reigning World Cup champs. Argentina have largely kept the 2022 World Cup winning squad together as the likes of Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Cristiano Romero and Enzo Fernandez are really stepping up as emerging leaders in this team. But Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi and Lautaro Martinez are all still around and will be huge for Argentina next summer as they look to secure back-to-back World Cup titles.
Colombia have slumped in recent months, winning just one of their last seven qualifiers and losing four in that stretch. They drew at home to Peru on Thursday and that means Los Cafeteros are now locked in a scrap for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup. With three games to go they’re just three points above Venezuela who occupy the inter-confederation playoff spot, and they travel to Venezuela in their final qualifier. Luis Diaz is alongside Messi with six goals in qualifying and he is back for this game after being suspended for the draw against Peru. Colombia need Diaz and the experience of David Ospina, Yerry Mina, Daniel Munoz and James Rodriguez to get them back on track.
Argentina team news, focus
Plenty of key players have been given a rest with qualification, and now top spot, secured. But we will probably see Messi start in this game as Scaloni will rotate as the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Angel Correa could start too.
OUT: Alexis Mac Allister (muscle) | QUESTIONABLE: Giovani Lo Celso (physical discomfort)
Colombia team news, focus
Jhon Duran came off at half time of the draw against Peru with a back issue and will not feature in this game, which is a blow. Luis Diaz being back is obviously huge and totally changes how Colombia can attack, especially on the counter. Munoz is a key player down the right and he is in fine form, while Colombia have so much experience in defense and must hold firm to keep themselves in this game.
OUT: Jhon Cordoba (muscle), Juan Quintero (MCL, knee), Jhon Duran (back)
Argentina vs Colombia prediction
This feels like it will be very close and Colombia surely have to snap out of this poor run of form soon. With Argentina experimenting, expect a draw. Argentina 1-1 Colombia.
