(EFE) — Argentina returned to perform well and win and its 1-0 victory over Colombia made its rival much more complicated, in the central province of Córdoba. With a goal from Lautaro Martínez, the Albiceleste extended their unbeaten record to 29 games and their opponent reached seven games without a win and was even further away from qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup with two games to go.
The only goal of this Tuesday’s game was scored by Martínez in the 28th minute of the first half.
With this result, Argentina, led by Lionel Scaloni, extended its unbeaten record to 29 games, with 19 wins and 10 draws.
In the first minutes of the match, an Argentine National Team was predisposed to have the ball and build dangerous plays with patience.
Colombia, on the other hand, stood closer to their own goal and chose to counterattack and not seek to recover the ball in the rival field, unlike Argentina, who pressed high.
At 15 minutes, a mid-range shot by Ángel Di María went close to the far post.
La Albiceleste continued to move the ball in the center of the field, until after 28 minutes Marcos Acuña decided to send a center from the left that fell at the feet of Lautaro Martínez, who controlled and settled down to later define low to the ground to score the 1-0.
Shortly after, Camilo Vargas prevented the 2-0 by deflecting a free kick from Di María. The favorable result gave more confidence to the local team, which took risks and went in search of the second goal. Colombia was forced to press high, but the forwards and midfielders were unable to take the ball away from the Argentines.
At 45 minutes, Miguel Borja had equality on his feet. After a sloppy play, the attacker from Junior de Barranquilla received centimeters from the small area and faced Emiliano Martínez, but the goalkeeper quickly narrowed it down and managed to deflect Borja’s shot.
That was the clearest dangerous play of those led by Reinaldo Rueda in the entire match.
The beginning of the second half was more dynamic and attractive, with attacks from both teams. Despite the greater audacity of the visitors, Argentina did not suffer major shocks and continued to take charge of possession.
Di María, the most mobile of the local attackers, was one of the figures in Scaloni’s team. ‘Fideo’ played wide open down the right wing and facing his markers diagonally.
Di María also tried several times from mid-range and almost scored with that resource in the 64th minute.
Colombia went with more and more people and momentum in search of equality, but their intentions collided with a strong line of four defenders that prevented the visitors from approaching the goal.
However, the last ten minutes were a monologue for Colombia, who took possession of the ball and tried again and again to step on the rival area.
La Albiceleste suffered in the last stretch of the match but managed to keep a clean sheet and thus secure victory.
Colombia now accumulates four draws and three defeats in the last seven games of the South American Qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, in which they did not score a single goal.
Colombia’s last victory as a visitor against Argentina in qualifying rounds was the historic 0-5 on September 5, 1993, which forced the Albiceleste to play a playoff to qualify for the 1993 World Cup in the United States.
Argentina will close its participation in these qualifiers in March against Venezuela and Ecuador, while Colombia will define its classification against Bolivia and Venezuela.
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Argentina vs. Colombia – Match Report – February 1, 2022 – ESPN