Argentina 1-1 Colombia Player Ratings: Thaigo Almada's Equaliser Saves 10-Men La Albiceleste Against Colombia

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina secured a draw against Colombia despite being a man down at the Estadio Mas Monumental in the World Cup qualifying game. Argentina has already qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026. Colombia, however, would have required a victory in this game to be a strong contender as they are placed sixth in the table with 22 points. Goals from Luiz Diaz and Thiago Almada ensured that the game ended in a tie.

The first half started with incredible pressure from Lionel Scaloni's side, but slowly Colombia grew into the game. The visitors were the more aggressive side in the clash, and it paid off as they led the tie 0-1 after a goal from Liverpool forward Luis Diaz. Around the 24th minute of the game, the forward got the ball along the left flank, entered the final third and danced past one, two and then three defenders to slot it into the net past Emiliano Martinez. Argentina tried to get the equaliser around the half-an-hour mark after Enzo Fernandez's rebound shot rattled the net but was given offside by the linesman.

The second half started with Argentina making a couple of changes to their side, shifting to a back three and focusing more on attack. Around the 60th minute, Richard Rios got the ball in front of the box and took a right-footed shot on target. Martínez made a good save, and the resulting corner was also contained by the Aston Villa goalkeeper. Following that Argentina got a chance when Nico took a shot, which dipped and remained on target, forcing a save by Mier. Argentina cut back after the save, and Enzo shot at an open goal, but his effort went over the net.

Around the 71st minute, Argentina were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez received a red card. Fernández tried to get the ball with his feet while Castano went for a header, and his high boot caught the Colombian's head, and the referee sent the Chelsea midfielder off. Despite being a man down, La Albiceleste scored an equaliser, justifying why they are the reigning world champions. Around the 81st minute, Argentina took a quick throw-in, and then Almada received a pass from his right. He ran into the box, drifting to his left, and then took a shot to find the left-bottom corner. Here are the Argentina national football team vs Colombia national football team player ratings:

Argentina National Football Team Player Ratings vs Colombia

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martinez: 7.3/10

The Aston Villa shot stopper had a busy game as Colombia lashed on to every opportunity they got. He made around five saves in the game and maintained 88 percent passing accuracy in the game.

Defenders

Nahuel Molina: 6.4/10

The 27-year-old fullback was subbed off after the first half as he had to deal with a lot of pressure on the right side of the wing. He only had 23 touches in the game and maintained a passing accuracy of 88 percent.

Cristian Romero: 7.0/10

The Tottenham defender had a good game with some crucial interceptions and clearances. He was involved in nine defensive actions and made five interceptions in the game.

Nicolas Otamendi: 7.1/10

The Benfica defender was crucial in defence as he played like a leader and was proactive to clear any threat that came his way apart from that Luis Diaz goal. He was involved in seven defensive actions and made three recoveries.

Facundo Medina 6.6/10

The full-back had a good game, contributing both in defence and attack. He maintained a passing accuracy of 87 percent and was involved in four defensive actions for Argentina.

Midfielders

Rodrigo de Paul: 6.8/10

The Atleti midfielder had a decent game, maintaining a passing accuracy of 93 percent. He made five passes into the final third and was involved in four defensive actions. He also won five duels in the game.

Leandro Paredes: 7.9/10

The Roma midfielder controlled the midfield well for his side, despite going a man down. He made 14 passes into the final third and recovered eight balls for Argentina.

Enzo Fernandez: 5.3/10

The Chelsea midfielder had a mediocre game before being sent off in the second half. He was shown a red card after his studs hit the head of Castano while going for an aerial ball.

Attackers

Lionel Messi: 8.0/10

The Inter Miami forward had a great game despite his team struggling. He was the standout for Argentina as he completed the most number of dribbles in the game and created a number of attacking opportunities.

Julian Alvarez: 6.4/10

The Rojiblancos forward had a decent game in the final third but missed on few good scoring opportunities. He took two shots on goal and created couple of chances in goal against Colombia.

Thiago Almada: 8.4/10

The Lyon forward had a bright performance in the final third of the pitch. He scored the equaliser for La Albiceleste when it felt that Argentina would be defeated after Enzo was sent off. He created three chances and won five duels in the game.

Substitutes

Guiliano Simeone: 6.5/10

The midfielder came on to replace Nahuel Molina in the game.

Nico Gonzalez: 7.3/10

The Juventus midfielder came on to replace Rodrigo de Paul at the start of the second half.

Juan Foyth: N/A.

Exequiel Palacios: N/A

He assisted Thiago Almada's goal just after coming on to the field in the 78th minute.

Leonardo Balerdi: N/A.

Manager

Lionel Scaloni: 6.5/10

The manager immediately took one defender off at the start of the second half to respond to Colombia's opener. It paid off as Almada scored the equaliser nine minutes before the regulation time despite being a man down.

Colombia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Argentina

Goalkeeper

Kevin Mier: 6.7/10

Had a good game between the sticks, making crucial saves for his side. He made around four saves in the game and was accurate with his distribution.

Defenders

Deiver Machado: 6.3/10

The full-back had a good game, helping the team both in attack and defence. He maintained a passing accuracy of 86 percent and was involved in three defensive actions.

Jhon Lucumi: 6.6/10

The Bologna defender had a decent game as a centre-back, maintaining a passing accuracy of 91 percent. He was involved in six defensive actions and made a couple of recoveries for Colombia.

Davinson Sanchez: 7.5/10

The Galatasaray defender had a strong display at the heart of the defence and maintained the shape of the backline even when the team was in the opposition's penalty box. He was involved in 10 defensive actions and won four duels in the game.

Daniel Munoz: 6.7/10

The defender was solid in his game, stopping the likes of Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi. He was involved in eight defensive actions and made four recoveries for his side.

Midfielders

Kevin Castano: 7.3/10

The River Plate midfielder assisted Luis Diaz's goal in the first half and was a major creative force for the visitors. He created a couple of attacking opportunities and maintained a passing accuracy of 91 percent.

Jefferson Lerma: 6.5/10

The Crystal Palace midfielder orchestrated the game well, maintaining a passing accuracy of 97 percent. He made four passes into the final third and was involved in six defensive actions.

Richard Rios: 6.4/10

The midfielder exploded a lot in attack and also hit the woodwork once. He was also crucial in the phase of transitions, making four clearances in the game.

Attackers

Jaminton Campas: 6.2/10

The 25-year-old forward did not have a great game, as he missed easy chances to strengthen his side's lead. He lost nine duels in the game and created a couple of chances for his side.

Luis Diaz: 8.6/10

The Liverpool forward made his mark in the first half of the game, scoring past Martinez and helping his side take the driving seat in the game. He took five shots on goal and created two opportunities for Colombia.

James Rodriguez: 7.1/10

The former Real Madrid and Monaco forward had a good game, putting pressure on the Argentine defenders. He created three attacking opportunities for his side and won three duels in the game

Substitutes

Felipe Roman: 6.0/10

He came on to replace Jaminton Campaz around the 57th minute of the game.

Jhon Arias: 5.8/10

The forward came in to replace James Rodriguez around the 73rd minute of the game.

Rafael Carrascal: 6.3/10

He was brought on to replace midfielder Kevin Castano.

Manager

Nestor Lorenzo: 6.8/10

Despite being numerically stronger on the pitch and leading 1-0, his squad would have been unsatisfied with a draw and would have needed a victory to have an easier opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match: Luis Diaz