Argentina 0-2 Colombia: Early Copa America blow for Messi
The Albiceleste got their campaign underway with a disappointing defeat in Salvador
Two late goals for Colombia dealt Lionel Messi’s Argentina a blow in their Copa America Group B opener on Saturday.
ARG
0 ________________ 2
COL
LINE UP
Argentina
Armani; Saravia, Pezzella, Otamendi,Tagliafico; Lo Celso, Rodríguez (Pizarro, min. 66), Paredes; Messi, Agüero (Suárez, min. 78) y Di María (De Paul, min. 45).
Colombia
Ospina; Medina, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sánchez,Tesillo; Barrios, Uribe; Cuadrado (Lerma, min. 63); James, Muriel (Roger Martínez, min. 13) y Falcao (Zapata, min. 80)
Goles
0-1, min. 70: Roger Martínez, con un potente disparo desde la frontal del área. 0-2, min. 85: Zapata remata en el área pequeña
Árbitro
Roberto Tobar (Chile). Amonestó con cartulina amarilla a Falcao (min. 19), Rodríguez (min. 41), Saravia (min. 52), Paredes (min. 55), Cuadrado (min. 60), Zapata (min. 86) y Lerma (min. 93).
Incidencias
Partido correspondiente a la primera jornada del Grupo B de la Copa América 2019, disputado en el estadio Arena Fonte Nova de Salvador de Bahía ante 43.000 espectadores. Se guardó un minuto de silencio por Sergio Gendler, referente del periodismo deportivo argentino.
Barcelona striker Messi, looking for his first major international trophy, missed Argentina’s best chance before Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata’s strikes secured victory for Colombia in Salvador.
Argentina suffered their first defeat by Colombia in 12 years thanks to the two second half goals for Los Cafeteros, who had been on the back foot.
The Albiceleste are looking for their first Copa America since 1993 but started badly in coach Lionel Scaloni’s first ever competitive game in charge of any side.
Messi, who temporarily retired from international duty after missing a penalty against Chile in the 2016 Copa America final shoot-out, headed a rebound wide after David Ospina denied Nicolas Otamendi.
Argentina were on top and Leandro Paredes came close twice, while tensions rose when Juan Cuadrado scythed down Messi and players scrapped.
Colombia broke the deadlock after 71 minutes with an excellent goal from Martinez, who cut inside after receiving from James Rodriguez and lashed into the top corner.
Then with Argentina desperate for an equaliser Colombia hit them on the counter again, with Zapata striking from close range for Carlos Quieroz’s side.
The win takes Colombia top of Group B on three points before Qatar face Paraguay on Sunday.
