Argentina vs Colombia 1-1: Full Match Highlights, Red Card Drama & Almada's Equalizer | WC Qualifier 2025
🇦🇷 Argentina 1–1 Colombia 🇨🇴
May 11, 2025 – Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
🔥 Match Overview
Argentina welcomed Colombia in the 16th round of CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Despite Argentina having secured qualification already, both teams entered with pride and playoff stakes in mind. Colombia struck first, Argentina responded with grit.
⚽ First Half – Colombia Strikes Early
- 24′ – A moment of brilliance from Luis Díaz: picking up the ball on the left flank, he weaved past four defenders and curled a low shot past Emiliano Martínez. A stunning opener that stunned the home crowd tropicanafm.com+9as.com+9mykhel.com+9.
- Argentina dominated possession (64% to 36%), created chances, but failed to convert. Messi and Julián Álvarez tested Colombian keeper Kevin Mier without success as.com+1outlookindia.com+1.
🚨 Controversy & Red Card
- 70′ – The game turned sour. Enzo Fernández was shown a straight red card for a dangerous high-foot challenge to Kevin Castaño, leaving Argentina with 10 men mykhel.com+3tropicanafm.com+3as.com+3. Castaño suffered a facial injury and was substituted shortly after reuters.com+4tropicanafm.com+4bolavip.com+4.
💥 Second Half – Argentina’s Tenacity
- Despite being a man down, Argentina pushed forward doggedly.
- 81′ – Thiago Almada, brought on to replace Messi, unleashed a powerful, well-placed strike to equalize. His goal demonstrated Argentina’s resilience espn.com+9as.com+9mykhel.com+9.
📊 Final Whistle & Stats
- Final Score: Argentina 1–1 Colombia
- Possession: Argentina 64% – Colombia 36% mykhel.com+2goal.com+2theplayoffs.news+2outlookindia.com+3espn.com+3espn.com.au+3
- Shots (on target): Argentina 10 (3), Colombia 11 (5) as.com+9espn.com+9theplayoffs.news+9
- Argentina maintains an unbeaten home record in qualifying; Colombia earns a valuable point despite missing a direct-wildcard win reuters.com.
🔍 Key Takeaways
- Luis Díaz once again proves deadly from the wing with a solo goal that changed the game's complexion mykhel.com+2as.com+2reuters.com+2.
- Enzo Fernández’s red card was a pivotal moment—dangerous play that left Argentina vulnerable but ultimately didn't cost them the result bolavip.com+2tropicanafm.com+2as.com+2.
- Argentina’s resilience shone—even with ten men, they engineered a comeback through depth and character, with Almada seizing his moment outlookindia.com+2mykhel.com+2bolavip.com+2.
- Colombia showed intent and quality, leading and managing the game well, and now sit 6th in the standings, still within striking distance for automatic qualification .
📌 Why It Matters
- Argentina continues to display strong squad unity—even after red cards, their unbeaten home streak remains intact.
- Colombia can't be underestimated. Their speedy, counter-attacking style and Díaz’s magic makes them a serious contender for a direct World Cup slot.
- Enzo’s red card spells a suspension that could impact Argentina in upcoming matches.
🔭 Looking Ahead
- Argentina: Already qualified; next up—a friendly or rest ahead of tournament proper.
- Colombia: With 22 points after this draw, they remain in contention—just three points shy of Ecuador and Paraguay mykhel.combolavip.com.
📝 Final Thoughts
A compelling clash at the Monumental: Colombia’s electric opener and disciplined structure met Argentina’s flair and grit. The match ended all square, but it left both sides with momentum—one strengthened in character, the other fueled by confidence.
Let me know if you'd like player ratings, tactical breakdowns, video clips, or how this affects qualifications—happy to dig deeper!
Key match reports today