So much for Argentina rolling through World Cup qualifying unbeaten.
Carlos Tevez saw a first-half red card as Colombia scored a pair of second half goals to upset Argentina, 2-1, on Tuesday night. The victory moves Colombia, still unbeaten in four qualifying matches, to eight points, just a point behind Argentina.
Lionel Messi worked his usual magic with a nice first-half goal, but Colombia was at home and rallied in the second half as the Argentines tired from playing a man down. Coach Jorge Luis Pinto is working some magic with Colombia and his second-half substitute, Dayro Moreno, made Pinto look like a genius by scoring an 83rd minute game winner.
What do you think of Colombia's strong World Cup qualifying start? Share your thoughts on this result below.
I feel it just shows you that Colombia values the MLS results about as much as the English do (for right or wrong).
Not a good day for MLS DPs as Golden Melons was also dropped for Croatia. Although he will likely be on as a sub, should England need a goal.
No Angel= no problem.
Posted by: YankatOxford | November 21, 2007 at 08:12 AM
Yank, you've got that one wrong. Colombia's coach came to watch Angel play and it happened to be the game Angel suffered the concussion in. If Angel weren't sidelined medically for several weeks due to the concussion then there is a very good chance he would have been called in.
Beckham's situation is different in that he just hasn't been playing at all so McClaren can't be expected to start him in such an important match.
Posted by: Ives | November 21, 2007 at 08:22 AM
Ives I'm sure it is just a "typo" but I think Columbia knocks OFF Argentina. :-)
Posted by: CPTKevin | November 21, 2007 at 09:09 AM
that is a hilarious photo of the ref - why do they have to be so dramatic? It has to be ego.
Posted by: DCU Fan | November 21, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Watched the second half of this game and I have to say Argentina just stopped attacking and starting hitting the deck anytime they lost possession. Colombia just looked hungrier. Argentina was clearly the more skilled team, but Colombia just wanted it more.
Posted by: DigzTFC | November 21, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Colombia has always been the team with the most potential to challenge Brazil and Argentina. Maybe this is the cycle they make it happen?
Posted by: Matt | November 21, 2007 at 09:28 AM
why is tevez wearning gangster basketball shorts?
riquelme also looks really awkward.
Posted by: shaj | November 21, 2007 at 10:23 AM
I agree with Matt. Colombia, over the last few years, has definitely been an underachiever in international competitions. They have very talented footballers in that country and if they can get together as a team, could upset a lot of powerful teams on a given day. I think Pinto has them playing a style of soccer that fits their players: forwards pressuring defenses deep in their attacking part of the field, continuing to attack on a turnover. I wish the USMNT would consider using this same tactic, instead of letting opposing defenses a free walk to the half field line before pressuring in our defensive half.
Posted by: Hincha Tim | November 21, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Second goal was totally off-side!
Posted by: Soy United! | November 21, 2007 at 10:29 AM
The red card replay is kind of weak. Obviously the ref saw something I didn't see. But from what I saw, it was pretty tame.
However, could result for Columbia. It's nice when Argentina isn't always rolling.
Posted by: MemRook | November 21, 2007 at 10:31 AM
this has been a great weekend for me, i'm half colombian and half peruvian. so my mom is excited cause peru tied brazil, and my dad is stoked cause the colombians beat brazil. he watches the games at the argentinian association so he probably had to leave quietly. the soccer talk around the thanksgiving table is going to unstoppable now . . . just how i like it.
Posted by: Douglas | November 21, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Nice win for Colombia. Plan Colombia!!!
Posted by: Curtis Spiteri | November 21, 2007 at 10:58 AM
I'm not that surprised. Columbia is a talented team, they just rarely reach their potential. I've heard interviews with Argentine and Brazilian stars who will boast about how good Columbian players are - and nobody knows it.
Posted by: Felix | November 21, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Welcome kids... to Spanish/Geography 101... please take your seats.
First lesson...
in New York City there is a famous University that goes by the name of Columbia University.
Down in South America there is a famous country that goes by the name of Colombia.
Please note.
thanks...
Posted by: locolos | November 21, 2007 at 12:17 PM
COLOMBIA EN EL MUNDIAL, CARAJO!
Oh, and please my Americano friends, it's COLOMBIA and not COLUMBIA. Ha, ha! Man, just think if Colombia had capitalized on the chances it had in the first game against Brazil.
Posted by: Miguel | November 21, 2007 at 12:22 PM
A very good chance indeed. In either case, Colombia have had great success without him, which makes it less likely they will call him in the future.
Posted by: YankatOxford | November 21, 2007 at 04:16 PM
In the name of soccer your only as good as your last game, and Colombia was a better team. Good for Colombia.
Posted by: Frank Garcia | November 21, 2007 at 06:01 PM
Last qualifying they gathered 1 point in their first 4 matches. This time they bag 8. They have so many young players... and lovely ladies... wait a minute...
Posted by: Lawrence | November 22, 2007 at 02:45 AM
You're right about the lovely ladies...best in the world.
(Honorable mention: PR DR Brazil Venezuela).
JPA: I'd like to see him play a half with the nat team, might be good for both parties.
I don't mind Americanos referring to Colombia as Columbia so much. It's similar to Christopher Columbus here, is actually Cristobal Colombo everywhere else.
I loved the second half of this game. They finally played up to their potential. Toton revitalized the team in the second half, and we finally beat our rivals. The Argentinos seemed a bit off, except for mighty mouse Messi.
But Colombia needs to continue to put the ball in the net, otherwise it'll be same ole same ole para mi paisanos.
Posted by: RichBullNYNJ | November 27, 2007 at 12:43 PM
i think it was a realy good win and cArlos tevez got wath he deserved there was no need for him to do that fowl,COLOMBIA has to keep wining to stay in the first 4 but hopefully they get in the first 3 to go straight in.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE 'FALCAO'(RADAMEL FALCAO GARCIA) HE PLAYS IN RIVER PLATE an ARGENTINE club AND ALSO JUAN PABLO ANGEL, guys just imagine a worldcup without brazil nor argentina?? weird
Posted by: FALCAO009 | May 18, 2008 at 10:08 AM
i think it was a realy good win and cArlos tevez got wath he deserved there was no need for him to do that fowl,COLOMBIA has to keep wining to stay in the first 4 but hopefully they get in the first 3 to go straight in.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE 'FALCAO'(RADAMEL FALCAO GARCIA) HE PLAYS IN RIVER PLATE an ARGENTINE club AND ALSO JUAN PABLO ANGEL, guys just imagine a worldcup without brazil nor argentina?? weird
Posted by: FALCAO009 | May 18, 2008 at 10:08 AM