ARGENTINA gave away a two-goal lead and dropped some more points in Colombia in their final World Cup qualifier before the upcoming Copa America.
The Albiceleste opened the scoring with Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes in just five minutes but the hosts fought back with Luis Muriel and equalised in the last minute of stoppage time with Miguel Borja.
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THAT’S ALL FROM BARRANQUILLA
Argentina dropped some more points in Colombia as they gave away a two-point lead in their World Cup qualifying match at the El Metro Stadium.
The Albiceleste were hoping to come closer to table toppers Brazil and their hopes were boosted when they scored two goals in just five minutes.
Cristian Romero gave the visitors the lead in the third minute with a thunderous header following a neat cross by Rodrigo de Paul, which marked the young defender’s maiden international goal.
Leandro Paredes doubled Argentina’s lead after eight minutes when he took advantage of some confusion in Colombia’s box and beat David Ospina with a fine finish.
However, disaster struck in the dying minutes of first half when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez clashed in the air with Yerry Mina.
Martinez fell awkwardly and was unable to continue so the Aston Villa ace was replaced by Agustin Marchesin.
Colombia started strong in the second half and got on the board after 51 minutes when they were awarded a penalty following a careless elbow by Nicolas Otamendi.
Luis Muriel beat Marchesin from the spot with a composed finish and brought the live crowd to life.
Reinaldo Rueda’s men pushed for a winner and finally got it in the fourth minute of stoppage time with Miguel Borja’s header after Juan Cuadrado’s fabulous cross from the right flank.
Marchesin failed to hold on to the ball and wild celebrations erupted all over the stadium as the referee blew his whistle one final time.
Argentina are now second in the table with six points separating them from high flyers Brazil while Colombia occupy fifth place.
Both teams will now have their sights set in the upcoming Copa America as they will both be in action on Monday.
Argentina will take on Chile whereas Colombia are going to lock horns with Ecuador
GETTY IMAGES STATS
Argentina dominated 53 per cent of possession against Colombia throughout the match.
The Albiceleste registered a total of 15 shots, eight of which were on target.
Colombia, on the other hand, recorded 12 shots, five of which were on target.
It was quite an intense match that resulted in nine yellow cards, five of which were shown to Tricolor players
Credit: Reuters FT: COLOMBIA 2-2 ARGENTINA
Colombia picked up a late, dramatic draw against Argentina at the El Metro Stadium.
The Albiceleste dominated in the first half and opened the scoring after just thre minutes when Cristian Romero headed Rodrigo de Paul’s cross past David Ospina.
The visitors doubled their lead just five minutes later when Leandro Paredes took advantage of some mass confusion inside Colombia’s defence and beat Ospina with a fine finish.
But the hosts wouldn’t be denied as they started strong in the second half and earned a penalty after a careless elbow by Nicolas Otamendi inside the box.
Luis Muriel didn’t miss from the spot on 51 minutes and made the live crowd come to life.
Colombia pushed hard for an equaliser throughout the rest of the match and finally got it in the fourth minute of extra time when Miguel Borja headed the ball past Agustin Marchesin following a fabulous cross by Juan Cuadrado
Credit: Reuters
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S IT IN BARRANQUILLA!!!!!!
COLOMBIA 2-2 ARGENTINA
90+5 Unbelievable scenes here in Barranquilla!
Cuadrado delivers a pinpoint cross from the right flank and Borja jumps to the heavens to get a header that makes it 2-2 as we approach full-time!
Marchesin should have done better as he lost the ball from his hands
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!
COLOMBIA EQUALISE WITH BORJA!!!!!!!!!!!!
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
90+1 YELLOW CARD
Colombia ace Borja gets booked for not retreating the requisite five yards
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
90 Five more minutes of added time to go!
Colombia protested for a penalty after Borja went down inside the area, but there doesn’t seem to be anything there
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
88 Argentina have been looking better as we approach full-time.
They seem to be more keen on scoring a goal in order to put that to bed
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
85 WHAT A CHANCE!
Argentina miss a major opportunity to put this to bed!
Messi fires a shot that Ospina saves with a lunge down his right side.
The ball rolls towards Palacios but Sanchez clears it right on time!
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
81 Lautaro appears to be trying to fish a red card for Mina as falls down to the ground holding his mouth.
But there doesn’t seem to be anything there that would warrant a send-off
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
79 YELLOW CARD
Pezzella gets booked for a late challenge on Cardona.
We are now on eight bookings, it is highly likely we will see a red card
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
77 CHANCE!
Lautaro picks up a loose ball and fires a shot at Ospina who makes another terrific save.
The Colombia goalkeeper has been in great form tonight!
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
75 SUBSTITUTION
Another switch from Colombia manager Rueda as Moreno replaces Medina
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
72 CHANCE!
Colombia come close to an equaliser as Cuadrado chests it down for Borja on the edge of the box but the forward sends the ball way over the crossbar
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
70 Argentina are still comfortable on the pitch despite Colombia’s recent boost in confidence.
The crowd is very loud but that is not daunting Messi, who is still a constant threat in the attacking third
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
68 Here’s some latest information on Argentina goalkeeper Martinez:
The Aston Villa star was sent to a local hospital as a precaution following his injury in the first half
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
65 WHAT A CHANCE!
Messi plays Lautaro inside the box with a beautiful through ball but the Inter Milan star sends the ball straight to Ospina.
Poor finish from the star striker…
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
65 SUBSTITUTION
Argentina manager Scaloni introduces Pezzella and Foyth, who replace Romero and Gonzalez respectively
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
63 Reminding you that Colombia got a penalty following an elbow by Otamendi inside the box.
Quite a reckless decision from the former Manchester City star who got booked for that
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
60 Here’s how Muriel put Colombia back in the game with his composed penalty kick.
This has been a fascinating game, which could see a red card soon as we are already on six yellows.
Colombia keep giving away silly fouls close to their area and Messi is coming close to beating Ospina
Credit: AFP
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
58 CHANCE!
Messi fires another brilliant free kick from the right side and forces a difficult save from Ospina.
The Colombian keeper just manages to keep that away with his left hand
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
57 YELLOW CARD
Another booking for a Colombia player, this time it’s Tesillo who brings De Paul down with a late challenge
COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
57 Reminding you that Argentina lost their starting goalkeeper Martinez in the first half after a rough clash with Mina in the air.
The Aston Villa star suffered a head injury on his way down to the ground
GETTY IMAGES GETTY IMAGES COLOMBIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
55 SUBSTITUTION
Argentina manager Scaloni is now the one that is looking to shake things up so that the Albiceleste don’t drop any more points.
Palacios comes on for Lo Celso
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
