Honestly, if you thought the rivalry between these two peaked at the Copa América final in Miami, you haven't been paying attention to the chaos of South American qualifying. The road to the 2026 World Cup has been a brutal reminder that in CONMEBOL, reputation doesn't win you points. It’s about who can survive the heat, the travel, and the relentless pressure of the most difficult qualifying cycle on the planet.
Argentina vs Colombia eliminatorias 2026 has become the defining fixture of this cycle. It isn't just a rematch of a final anymore. It’s a tactical chess match between Lionel Scaloni and Néstor Lorenzo that has fundamentally shifted how we look at both teams.
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That Barranquilla Heat was No Joke
Everyone talked about the 2-1 result in September 2024, but the story was really about the conditions. Playing at 3:30 PM in Barranquilla is basically like trying to run a marathon in a sauna. Argentina felt it. Without Lionel Messi, who was still recovering from that nasty ankle injury from the Copa, the Albiceleste looked... human.
Yerson Mosquera climbed higher than everyone in the 25th minute to head home a cross from James Rodríguez. It was vintage James. The guy might not be a regular starter at the club level always, but when he puts on that yellow shirt, he turns into a magician.
Argentina did fight back. Nico González pounced on a mistake right after halftime to make it 1-1. But then came the VAR drama. A penalty was awarded to Colombia, and James stepped up to bury it past Dibu Martínez. That win for Colombia wasn't just three points; it was a statement that the gap at the top of South America is basically non-existent right now.
The Return Leg at the Monumental
By the time the teams met again in June 2025 at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, the stakes had changed. Argentina was sitting comfortably at the top of the table, but Colombia was breathing down their necks. This match ended in a 1-1 draw, and frankly, it was a weird one.
Luis Díaz, who has become arguably the most dangerous winger in the world, scored in the 24th minute. Argentina struggled to find their rhythm for a long time. It took until the 81st minute for Thiago Almada to equalize after coming off the bench.
- Possession: Argentina had 64% of the ball but struggled to do much with it.
- Expected Goals (xG): Colombia actually had the better chances (1.42 vs 1.07).
- The Atmosphere: 85,000 people screaming, yet Colombia didn't blink.
It's interesting because people assume Argentina dominates at home. But Néstor Lorenzo has built a Colombia side that is physically imposing and tactically disciplined. They don't fear the world champions.
What This Means for the 2026 Table
We are now in early 2026, and the dust has mostly settled on the qualifying rounds. Argentina finished the cycle in first place with 38 points. They are the favorites for the World Cup for a reason, but those matches against Colombia exposed some cracks.
Colombia finished third with 28 points, level with Uruguay and Brazil. The consistency they showed against the "Big Two" was the real story of their campaign. They aren't just a "dark horse" anymore. They are a legitimate contender.
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| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 18 | 38 |
| Ecuador | 18 | 29 |
| Colombia | 18 | 28 |
| Uruguay | 18 | 28 |
The fact that Argentina only took one point from six available against Colombia in this specific qualifying cycle is a stat that most fans overlook. If these two meet in the knockout stages of the World Cup this summer, the psychological edge might actually be with the Cafeteros.
Actionable Insights for the World Cup
If you’re following these teams into the summer tournament, keep a few things in mind. First, don't bet against Colombia in high-humidity matches; they’ve mastered the art of managing their energy. Second, watch Argentina's transition defense. In both qualifiers, Colombia hurt them on the counter-attack, specifically exploiting the space behind the fullbacks.
The next time we see Argentina on a big stage will be the Finalissima against Spain in March 2026. That's going to be a massive test, but for many South American fans, the real "Finalissima" happened in the trenches of the qualifiers.
Check the injury reports for the March friendlies. Argentina has been rotating several young defenders like Leonardo Balerdi and Facundo Medina to see who can handle the pressure of replacing the aging veterans. For Colombia, all eyes are on the fitness of Luis Díaz, who remains the heart of their offensive output. Secure your viewing plans for the group stage now, as Argentina opens against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.