
Argentina National Football Team vs Colombia National Football Team Lineups – Confirmed Starting XIs and Key Insights
Argentina vs Colombia National Teams Lineups
Argentina hosts Colombia at Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires for a crucial CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier. The match features Lionel Messi confirmed in the starting XI as the reigning champions face a desperate Colombian side fighting for qualification.
The fixture represents Round 16 of the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, with both teams fielding competitive 4-3-3 formations. Argentina, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, sits atop the CONMEBOL table, while Colombia occupies sixth place and desperately needs points to secure automatic qualification.
What are the Argentina vs Colombia lineups?
Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed Messi starts after a substitute role in the previous 1-0 victory over Chile. Multiple sources report consistent starting elevens for both sides, with both teams deploying 4-3-3 formations.
Argentina Starting XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez; Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina; Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández; Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Thiago Almada.
Colombia Starting XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Kevin Mier; Defenders: Daniel Muñoz, Jhon Lucumí, Davinson Sánchez, Deiver Machado; Midfielders: Kevin Castaño, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos; Forwards: James Rodríguez, Jaminton Campaz, Luis Díaz.
Some predicted lineups show slight variations, including Nicolás Tagliafico at left-back for Argentina or Leonardo Balerdi in central defense. Sporting News reports these alternative configurations based on recent team selections.
Key Insights
- Nicolás Otamendi and Enzo Fernández return from injury absence for Argentina
- Luis Díaz returns from suspension for Colombia, providing offensive boost
- Jhon Lucumí replaces Yerry Mina in central defense for Colombia
- Messi returns to the starting XI after playing the second half against Chile
- Colombia has collected only 2 wins in 9 qualifiers since the Copa América
- The match marks Argentina’s first home qualifier against Colombia since 2024
Team Snapshot
| Team | Key Players | Formation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Messi, Álvarez, Fernández | 4-3-3 | Qualified for 2026 WC, 10-point lead |
| Colombia | James Rodríguez, Díaz, Mier | 4-3-3 | 6th in standings, needs points |
What time is the Argentina vs Colombia match today?
The match is scheduled for Tuesday evening at Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires. Sources indicate local time will be during the evening hours, with the venue representing one of South America’s most iconic football stadiums. BolaVIP provides additional match scheduling details for viewers across different time zones.
No exact kickoff time is specified across all sources, though previews confirm the fixture occurs during the evening local time in Argentina. The match represents a key fixture in Colombia’s qualification push as they battle to finish in the top six positions that guarantee automatic World Cup berths.
Venue: Estadio Más Monumental, Buenos Aires. The stadium, formerly known as Monumental Stadium, serves as Argentina’s national team home ground and has hosted numerous historic international fixtures.
What is the live score for Argentina vs Colombia?
No final score is available as the match takes place today. Pre-match coverage indicates no live updates have been published yet, with sources focusing on team news and lineup announcements. FotMob provides live score tracking for ongoing matches and can be used to monitor the result once play begins.
Looking at previous encounters, a past result from June 11, 2025 shows conflicting data. One source indicates Argentina 2-1 Colombia with goals from Almada (81′), Luis Díaz (24′), and Fernández (71′), suggesting an Argentina victory. Another source lists a 1-1 draw for the same date. 365Scores maintains historical match records for CONMEBOL qualifiers.
The match result remains to be determined. Historical data shows conflicting scores for previous 2025 encounters, highlighting the importance of checking live score platforms for accurate information during the match.
What are the lineups for Colombia vs Argentina World Cup Qualifiers?
Qualification Context
The World Cup Qualifiers continue with increasing importance for teams positioned outside the automatic qualification places. Argentina has secured their 2026 World Cup spot with a commanding 10-point lead at the summit of the CONMEBOL table. World Soccer Talk provides comprehensive coverage of the qualifying landscape.
Colombia finds themselves in a precarious position, sitting sixth in the standings with the top six teams securing automatic qualification. Their recent form has been concerning, with only two victories in nine qualifiers since the Copa América tournament.
Head-to-Head Record
- September 2024: Colombia 2-1 Argentina (Yerson Mosquera, James Rodríguez goals)
- 2024 Copa América Final: Argentina defeated Colombia
- Colombia’s last victory in Argentina: 5-0 in 1993 qualifiers
- Current streak: Colombia on 5-game winless run
The September 2024 encounter marked Colombia’s first victory over Argentina in over a year, coming just two months after the Copa América final where Argentina emerged victorious. Their historic 5-0 victory in Argentina dates back to the 1993 qualifying campaign, representing their only away win against the Albiceleste in modern history.
Prediction
Pre-match predictions favor Argentina with a 2-1 victory. The prediction accounts for Messi’s influence and Argentina’s home advantage at Estadio Más Monumental. Colombia enters the match boosted by Díaz’s return from suspension but faces an uphill battle against a side with superior defensive record and home crowd support.
Recent Match Timeline
- June 2025 (Round 16): Argentina 2-1 Colombia — Almada 81′, Fernández 71′, Díaz 24′
- September 2024: Colombia 2-1 Argentina — Mosquera and James Rodríguez score
- July 2024: 2024 Copa América Final — Argentina defeats Colombia
- Recent qualifier: Colombia 0-0 draw against Peru
- Previous Argentina match: 1-0 win over Chile in qualifying
Confirmed vs Predicted Lineups
Lionel Messi confirmed as starter by coach Scaloni; Argentina formation set as 4-3-3; Both teams fielding consistent lineups across multiple sources.
Exact kickoff time not specified across all sources; Conflicting historical match scores for June 2025 fixtures; Possible lineup variations with Tagliafico or Balerdi pending final confirmation. For a deeper dive into lineups and key match details, check out Фредрікстад проти Крістал Пелес.
Historical Context and Significance
The rivalry between Argentina and Colombia carries significant weight in South American football. Argentina’s recent dominance includes the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, establishing them as the region’s powerhouse. However, Colombia demonstrated their capability to compete by defeating Argentina in September 2024, just weeks after the Copa América final.
For Colombia, this match represents a critical opportunity to strengthen their qualification prospects. Sitting sixth places them in the automatic qualification zone, but the margin for error remains slim. Their recent 0-0 draw against Peru and five-game winless streak highlight the challenges facing coach Néstor Lorenzo’s side.
Argentina’s squad depth demonstrates their strength in depth, with goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez and Gerónimo Rulli, defenders including Tagliafico and Balerdi, midfielders Exequiel Palacios and Giovani Lo Celso, and forwards Lautaro Martínez and Ángel Correa providing options. Colombia’s full squad features experienced goalkeepers David Ospina and Camilo Vargas, defenders like Yerry Mina, midfielders Gustavo Cuéllar and Jhon Arias, and forwards Jhon Durán and Juan Camilo Hernández.
Sources and References
“Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed Messi starts after a substitute role in their prior 1-0 win over Chile.”
— Sporting News, World Soccer Talk, BolaVIP
“Colombia sits sixth in the standings with only 2 wins in 9 qualifiers since Copa América.”
— World Soccer Talk
Summary
The Argentina vs Colombia World Cup qualifier at Estadio Más Monumental features confirmed lineups with both teams employing 4-3-3 formations. Messi leads Argentina’s attack while Colombia relies on James Rodríguez and the returning Díaz. Argentina has already qualified for 2026 with a comfortable lead, whereas Colombia needs points desperately to maintain their position in the top six. Live scores can be tracked through Ukraine National Football Team – 2026 World Cup Play-Off Squad or dedicated sports applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Colombia last beat Argentina in Argentina?
Colombia’s last victory in Argentina came in 1993, when they won 5-0 during World Cup qualifiers.
What formation do Argentina and Colombia use?
Both teams use a 4-3-3 formation, with Argentina featuring Messi, Álvarez, and Almada in attack.
Has Lionel Messi been confirmed in Argentina’s lineup?
Yes, coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed Messi starts after playing the second half against Chile in the previous qualifier.
Where is the Argentina vs Colombia match being played?
The match takes place at Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
What is Colombia’s current qualification position?
Colombia sits sixth in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, which represents the final automatic qualification spot.
How can I track the live score?
Live scores are available through applications like FotMob and websites including 365Scores. Additional match tracking is available via Birmingham vs Port Vale – Score, Lineups, Stats and Highlights for other football fixtures.
What was the result of the September 2024 meeting?
Colombia defeated Argentina 2-1 in September 2024, with goals from Yerson Mosquera and James Rodríguez.