A heated exchange between Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez punctuated a feisty World Cup qualifying match between Argentina and Colombia, adding another layer of intensity to an already dramatic encounter. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, saw Argentina secure a late equalizer after going down to ten men, but it was the off-the-ball clash between the two South American stars that truly captured attention.
The tension reportedly stemmed from comments Rodriguez made following Argentina's victory in the 2024 Copa América final. Rodriguez had suggested that the refereeing in the final favored Argentina, a claim that apparently didn't sit well with Messi. According to reports, Messi confronted Rodriguez during the match, seemingly demanding an explanation for the comments.
Cameras captured the moment when a visibly irritated Messi approached Rodriguez. The Argentine captain appeared to be questioning Rodriguez, while the Colombian midfielder looked surprised, seemingly unaware of what had triggered Messi's reaction. The two players covered their mouths and exchanged words for several tense seconds. According to some sources, Messi said "You talk a lot". Rodriguez responded, "I didn't say anything". The incident occurred shortly after Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Kevin Castaño, further fueling the already high emotions of the match.
The Fernandez red card was another major talking point from the game. In the 71st minute, Fernandez's high challenge on Castaño resulted in a straight red card, leaving the Argentinian side with 10 men. The tackle was deemed dangerous, as it left Castano bleeding.
Despite being a man down, Argentina managed to salvage a draw, thanks to a late goal from Thiago Almada. Almada's equalizer secured a 1-1 draw, maintaining Argentina's position at the top of the World Cup qualifying table. Colombia, meanwhile, currently sit sixth in the standings, clinging to a qualifying spot.
The ill-feeling between Messi and Rodriguez appeared to have been brewing since March when Rodriguez made comments about the Copa America final. He stated that the referee had a significant influence on the game, denying Colombia penalties. He added that "a lot of things went against us.” These comments clearly remained in Messi's mind, leading to the confrontation during the World Cup qualifier.
Adding to the drama, Nicolás Otamendi and Richard Ríos were also involved in a heated exchange after the final whistle.
The match itself was a hard-fought contest. Luis Diaz had put Colombia ahead with a stunning solo goal in the first half, weaving his way through the Argentine defense before slotting the ball past Emiliano Martinez. Argentina struggled to break down the Colombian defense. However, Almada's late goal ensured that Argentina would not suffer a defeat on home soil. Messi, who was substituted in the 78th minute, watched from the sidelines as his team fought back to secure a draw.
With Argentina already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the draw against Colombia served as a reminder that even against South American rivals, nothing comes easy. For Colombia, the draw was a valuable point as they continue their quest to qualify for the World Cup.
