World Cup 2026: Colombia Head To Champs Looking Over Their Shoulder

Argentina vs Colombia

World Cup 2026 qualifiers rarely come this tasty in Europe but, due to the make-up of the South American pool, you are always guaranteed a few meetings between big beasts in the build-up to the biggest stage of international football every four years.

This fixture in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Wednesday morning (European time) certainly whets the appetite of SBOTOP fans.

But for all the World Cup qualifier 2025 highlights we may be treated to, will it realistically impact on the progress of these two football-mad nations?

 

Talking Points

Well as far as the world champions are concerned – absolutely not.

That’s because Argentina now have an unassailable lead in the CONMEBOL standings and can look ahead to next summer’s World Cup in America.

That was confirmed when they carved out a slender but significant 1-0 victory over Chile on Thursday, a result which dimmed Chile’s flickering qualification hopes and one which also ensured the top team in world football cannot be overtaken in their pool.

Even with several key players absent and Lionel Messi only gracing the pitch in the second half, Argentina’s mettle and spirit shone brightly under the Santiago lights with Julián Alvarez, Atletico Madrid’s agile frontman, netting the only game with a fine strike in the 16th minute.

By contrast, Colombia were being held to a goalless draw by lowly Peru, a result which left home fans frustrated, as audible boos echoed through the stands.

They currently sit in sixth spot in the CONMEBOL table, albeit three points clear of Venezuela.

The top six all reach the World Cup, with seventh place going into the intercontinental play-offs, so their destiny remains in their own hands, but inflicting defeat on the rivals who broke their heart in last summer’s Copa America would go a long way to keeping it that way.

Nestor Lorenzo’s team have now gone five consecutive games without a win but, with the player of the tournament from last summer, James Rodriguez, in their ranks, they can’t be ruled out.

The other star man will also be in town with Messi again involved before leading Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup – these matches fall during a FIFA international break between the MLS season and before the Club World Cup.

The Argentine captain is coming off one of his best stretches during the 2025 American season, scoring five goals in his last three matches, helping his club side improve from sixth to third place in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Argentina, with or without Messi, are big favourites but Colombia may want it that bit more before the majority of players head off for a summer break which is the last thing they will want 12 months from now!

 

History

Since Argentina thrashed Colombia in their first ever meeting in the 1945 Copa America, it has been largely domination for the three-times world champions.

They have 26 victories to 10 Colombia successes and eight draws.

On saying that, Colombia won their most recent meeting, last September, when a Rodriguez penalty sealed a 2-1 home win in Barranquilla in qualifying.

Of course, that hasn’t damaged their credentials and the holders reached next summer’s showpiece in the States a few months ago.

Last summer, the nations clashed in the Copa America final and, on a night when kick-off was delayed more than an hour due to a crowd disturbance, Lautaro Martinez scored the all important winner, the only goal of the contest, eight minutes from the end of extra-time.

That confirmed their status as the world’s number one, just 18 months after their World Cup triumph.

As mentioned, Colombia gained a modicum of revenge when they met seven weeks later in World Cup qualifying.

That was their first victory over their South American rivals since the 2019 Copa when Colombia – then managed by Carlos Quieroz – won 2-0 in a group game, courtesy of goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata.

You have to go back to 1993 and a famous Colombian victory to the last time they won on Argentine soil.

On that occasion, a side containing the likes of Diego Simeone and Gabriel Batistuta were humbled on home turf as Faustino Asprilla grabbed a hat-trick and inspired a 5-0 romp in Buenos Aires.

 

Betting Tip

The World Cup qualifier 2025 betting odds are all in favour of the hosts, who can be backed 1X2 @ 1.73 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.96.

A first win in six for Colombia will pay out with 1X2 @ 4.50 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.20.

A second successive 2-1 Colombia win in this fixture is worth a very tidy pay day with Correct Score @ 17.50. I don’t see that coming but I do think Lorenzo’s boys can claim what would be a valuable point.

   

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