Messi-James, three at the back, Almada and more….

In a few days, reels will pop up on your screen showcasing the shithousery that goes on in Argentina-Columbia football matches. While Brazil under Carlo is regaining strength, Columbia has taken the open spot of the toughest South American rival for the Argentina team! From penalty shootouts in an empty stadium in 2021 Copa Amercia Semi-final to the Final of Copa’ 24, the rivalry has grown slowly. The spicy encoutners between the players (like Messi-James argument, or, the Otamendi-Rios trash talks) only add to that. Some may even find it too much for their tastes.

The outcome of this Round of 16 match was meaningless for both teams. Argentina and Columbia both have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Not for Lionel Scaloni though. He still needs to test ideas- some old, to check if they still work, and some new, to see if they fit. This match at Monumental was the perfect set-up to do that. Yet, surprisingly Scaloni did not experiment much- not sure why though!

The excellent Diaz goal and the Enzo red-card gave some meaning to this match. It was like watching an old Argentina team from the recent past where it must always have to suffer first, forge its character (and, boy, Columbia made us suffer right) and make a comeback. That’s the reason Almada’s ground kisser stirred some emotions at 3.40 am in the morning.

La Scalonetta played with the entire second half with a back line of three, which worked fairly well, up until the red card. On the wide areas, two wingers Nico and Simeone’s inclusions gave us some speed.

Messi surprisingly asked to be subbed off. Is the GOAT phasing himself out? His presence is still invaluable and needed, but perhaps he recognises that sometimes the team is better off without him!

Questions remain on the right back and left back positions. Molina looks shaky, Tagliafico is not getting younger, Montiel is not playing at the most competitive stage anymore, Barco is not yet ready, Medina is yet to prove himself. Perhaps, we wait for some more experiments in September.