Colombia vs Argentina Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | World Cup Qualifiers, September 10, 2024

Preview

• Tournament: World Cup Qualifiers 2024
• Date: September 10, 2024
• Kick-off time: 20:30 GMT
• Venue: Estadio Metropolitano, Colombia

Colombia welcome reigning world champions Argentina to Barranquilla for a South American World Cup 2026 qualifying encounter on Tuesday night. The hosts are unbeaten in the qualifiers after coming up with a last-gasp equaliser against Peru last week, whereas Argentina can already consider their flights booked to North America after a brilliant qualifying campaign.

This clash is a repeat of July’s Copa America final and both teams are absolute favourites to qualify for the World Cup two years from now. Colombia are now on 13 points and they are third in the qualifying standings, a comfortable seven points clear in the automatic qualifying spot.

In their last six matches in World Cup qualifiers specifically, Colombia have won two and drawn four of their matches. On the other hand, Argentina have won five and lost one of their qualifying games.

Also Read: Netherlands vs Germany Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Nations League, September 10, 2024

Team News

Colombia National Football Team News

Colombia will miss two of their most experienced players for this clash as former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina and former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez are both out with injury, respectively.

Jhon Duran could attain a starting spot for this game. Colombia captain James Rodriguez only featured for 45 minutes in the last game and is expected to start and feature for the whole match against Argentina.

Luis Diaz will be the man to watch in this game as he is currently in the form of his life.

Argentina National Football Team News

Argentina are obviously without Lionel Messi, who is still nursing an ankle injury that had forced him off the field in the Copa America final this past summer. Nicolas Tagliafico and Leonardo Balerdi are also injured alongside Exequiel Palacios.

Angel Di Maria’s replacement Matias Soule could get a chance to start in this game along with striker Taty Castellanos. Argentina will have their regular duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez available for selection, which will give them additional protection in midfield. Emiliano Martinez is expected to start in goal for the world champions.

Colombia vs Argentina Predicted Lineups

Colombia National Football Team Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Vargas

Defenders: Munoz, Lucumi, Mina, Mojica

Midfielders: Rios, Lerma, Arias

Forwards: James, Duran, Diaz

Argentina National Football Team Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Lisandro Martinez

Midfielders: Lo Celso, De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Garnacho

Forwards: Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez

H2H Record

• Argentina 1-0 Colombia (Copa America final, July 15, 2024)
• Argentina 1-0 Colombia (World Cup 2022 qualifier, February, 2022)
• Argentina 1-1 (3-2) Colombia (Copa America semi-final, July 7, 2021)
• Colombia 2-2 Argentina (Copa America group stage, June 9, 2021)
• Argentina 0-2 Colombia (Copa America group stage, June 15, 2019)

Key Players to Watch

James Rodriguez (Colombia)

The 33-year-old midfield magician has been ever-present for the Colombian national football team since 2011 and has made over 100 appearances for his country, scoring over 25 goals.

James makes Colombia tick and if he is in the mood, he can still be one of the most devastating attacking midfielders on his day. Argentina will need to be alert to his threat, especially on set-pieces and shots from outside the box.

His vision and hold-up play could be crucial for Colombia’s chances of coming up with an unlikely win in this game.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina)

Former Manchester City man Julian Alvarez is our pick from the Argentina side. The forward is box-office when it comes to crucial moments in big games and in the absence of Messi, we could see him have more of the ball.

Alvarez is an expert in making crucial runs through the oppositions’ defensive channels and this is exactly how Scaloni will try to use him against Colombia. With Lautaro Martinez alongside him, Alvarez may have to just keep getting in pockets of space in order to create chances or receive goalscoring chances from his teammates throughout the game.

Expect Alvarez to get on the scoresheet in this one!

Colombia vs Argentina Prediction

Colombia haven’t been able to beat Argentina since 2019 and we expect that trend to continue despite Lionel Messi’s absence. Colombia do have the creative acumen to hurt Argentina, but we believe that Lionel Scaloni’s men are way too balanced as a team as compared to their opponents in this one.

Predicted Score: Colombia 1-2 Argentina

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