Thiago Almada’s equaliser rescued a point for 10-man Argentina in their 1-1 draw with Colombia.<\/p>\n
The reigning world and Copa America champions fell behind to Luis Diaz’s wonderful individual effort in the first half of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at Estadio Mas Monumental.<\/p>\n
Enzo Fernandez was then dismissed for the hosts, who have already qualified for next year’s finals,\u00a0but Almada earned a share of the spoils\u00a0with a fine strike in the 81st minute.<\/p>\n
Both sides went close during the first half. Deiver Machado fired over from a dangerous position for Colombia, while Julian Alvarez stung Kevin Mier’s palms from distance at the other end.<\/p>\n
However, it was the visitors who struck first in emphatic fashion after 24 minutes; Diaz drifting inside from the left flank with a strong run – beating three defenders along the way – before slotting past Emiliano Martinez.<\/p>\n
Lionel Scaloni’s side\u00a0went in search of an equaliser. Alvarez saw a volley ruled out for offside against the returning Lionel Messi, while Fernandez fired over and Nicolas Gonzalez hit the post from close range.<\/p>\n
The hosts’ task became\u00a0even more difficult when Fernandez was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute, after the Chelsea midfielder caught Kevin Castano in the face with a high boot.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, they dragged themselves level nine minutes from time, with Almada driving into the area before drilling past Mier and\u00a0into the far corner.<\/p>\n
Colombia almost regained their advantage when Richard Rios’ free header clipped the outside of the post, but they had to settle for a point in Buenos Aires.<\/p>\n
Los Cafeteros, who occupy sixth place in the COMNEBOL qualifying section, are now four points clear of seventh-place Venezuela, after Los Vinotintos were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay.<\/p>\n
Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored either side of half-time at Estadio Centenario, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side moved within a point of sealing their qualification for the finals.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ecuador secured their place in the tournament with two games to spare following a 0-0\u00a0draw with Peru in Lima; their third successive goalless stalemate.<\/p>\n
Data Debrief: Three in a row for Diaz<\/p>\n
Diaz, who returned from suspension,\u00a0continued his impressive form during this qualifying section, in which he tops the scoring chart with seven goals.<\/p>\n
Following his fine individual effort, the Liverpool winger has found the net in each of his last three World Cup qualifiers, his longest such streak.<\/p>\n
Although, it was not enough to secure all three points for Colombia, who are now without a win in six matches (drawn three, lost three).<\/p>\n
Almada’s strike means\u00a0Argentina have now scored seven\u00a0goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half during this CONMBEOL qualifying section, more than any other nation.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ecuador sealed their return to the World Cup finals after extending their unbeaten streak in qualifiers to nine matches (their longest run since at least 2006).<\/p>\n
Also, their tally of 11 clean sheets in 16 matches is the most recorded by any South American side during\u00a0this qualifying campaign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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