عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Colombia Edges Defending Champion Argentina 2-1 in South American World Cup Qualifiers 

Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Colombia v Argentina - Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla, Colombia - September 10, 2024 Colombia's James Rodríguez celebrates after Yerson Mosquera scores their first goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Colombia v Argentina - Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla, Colombia - September 10, 2024 Colombia's James Rodríguez celebrates after Yerson Mosquera scores their first goal. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Colombia Edges Defending Champion Argentina 2-1 in South American World Cup Qualifiers 

Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Colombia v Argentina - Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla, Colombia - September 10, 2024 Colombia's James Rodríguez celebrates after Yerson Mosquera scores their first goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Colombia v Argentina - Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla, Colombia - September 10, 2024 Colombia's James Rodríguez celebrates after Yerson Mosquera scores their first goal. (Reuters)

James Rodríguez scored from the penalty spot and had an assist to help Colombia edge defending champion Argentina 2-1 on Tuesday in a South American World Cup qualifier.

The Argentina attack missed Lionel Messi, who was sidelined because of injury for the between the teams since the Copa America final.

Yerson Mosquera opened the scoring in the 25th minute but Argentina equalized in the 48th when Nico Gonzalez capitalized on a defensive blunder from the Colombians. Rodríguez’ 60th-minute penalty, which was awarded after a video review, secured the win at the Metropolitano Stadium.

"It is a great win against an Argentina team that has won it all," Rodríguez said. "The weather was tough, it was so hot, but we had an excellent match. It is a fair win."

World Cup champion Argentina lifted the Copa America trophy after a 1-0 overtime victory over Colombia in July.

Colombia, which hadn't triumphed over Argentina since 2019, is still unbeaten in South American World Cup qualifying.

Also on Tuesday, Bolivia upset Chile 2-1 at Santiago; Ecuador beat Peru 1-0, and Venezuela drew 0-0 with Uruguay.

Paraguay vs. Brazil were still to play.

Argentina leads the round-robin competition with 18 points after eight matches, two points clear of Colombia. Uruguay is in third position with 15 points, followed by Ecuador with 14.

The top six teams in South American qualifying will get automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup.

Colombia once again had the 33-year-old Rodríguez to thank after he gave a perfect cross for Mosquera to nod in and opening the scoring. That equalized Carlos Valderrama's record of 11 assists in South American World Cup qualifying.

A mistake by Rodríguez allowed Argentina to equalize, with Nico González stealing the ball from him and shooting past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

But Rodríguez made amends when he beat Dibu Martínez, a prolific penalty stopper, and equalized Falcao García's mark of 13 goals in World Cup qualifying.

Argentina's strikers Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez failed to offer as much danger as they do when veteran Messi is there to create opportunities for them.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the heat had an impact on the match.

"The heat is the same for both, but it is evident that there were not good conditions for us to see a spectacle," the coach said.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Freiburg's Höler Scores Another Bundesliga Stunner to Deny 10-man Dortmund

Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
TT
TT

Freiburg's Höler Scores Another Bundesliga Stunner to Deny 10-man Dortmund

Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Freiburg forward Lucas Höler scored with a spectacular bicycle kick to hold 10-man Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Höler stopped Christian Günter´s cross with his left boot, then turned and struck the ball with his right to send the ball in off the right post in the 75th minute, denying Dortmund the chance to move second, The Associated Press reported.

The goal came a day after Bayer Leverkusen´s Martin Terrier scored a contender for goal of the season on Saturday.

Dortmund had Jobe Bellingham sent off in the 53rd for a foul on Philipp Treu, who would have been through alone on goal after cutting out a poor pass from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Ramy Bensebaini had opened the scoring in the 31st after Freiburg´s defense failed to deal with Yan Couto´s free kick.

It´s Dortmund´s second consecutive draw after the disappointing 2-2 draw at Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League on Wednesday.

League leader Bayern Munich was hosting bottom side Mainz later, with Stuttgart visiting Werder Bremen after that.

Sports

Haaland Stars in Win over Palace to Fire Man City Title Charge

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
TT
TT

Haaland Stars in Win over Palace to Fire Man City Title Charge

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal as Erling Haaland's double inspired a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's second-placed side moved within two points of Arsenal after a hard-fought success at Selhurst Park.

Norway striker Haaland opened the scoring late in the first half and England forward Phil Foden netted after the break.

Haaland bagged his 23rd goal in all competitions this season to complete City's fifth successive win in all competitions, AFP reported.

Arsenal's dramatic late win over bottom of the table Wolves on Saturday had put pressure on City to respond and Guardiola's men were up to the task, overcoming a spluttering display in large part because of the quality of their finishing.

After coming from behind to win 2-1 at Real Madrid in their glamour Champions League clash in midweek, a trip to freezing south London to face their FA Cup tormentors was a testing trip for far different reasons.

City were facing Palace for the first time since their shock FA Cup final defeat against the Eagles at Wembley in May.

Glasner out-witted Guardiola with a tactical masterclass in the final.

But City avenged that loss to keep the title race bubbling ahead of the hectic Christmas period.

The astute Glasner spotted another flaw in City's game-plan this season, noting their defence is vulnerable to pace and passes played in behind them

Yeremy Pino should have exploited City's defensive frailty when Adam Wharton's sublime pass sent him sprinting clear of the visitors' creaky offside trap, but his shot smashed off the crossbar with just Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat.

With Palace set up to neutralise City's attacks, Guardiola's men struggled to find any rhythm for long periods and Pino threatened again with a low shot that forced Donnarumma into action.

It took City half an hour to muster their first shot on target as Foden's free-kick was parried by Dean Henderson.

Haaland had barely had a kick before he put City ahead in typically predatory fashion in the 41st minute.

Matheus Nunes curled a pin-point cross towards the far post and Haaland peeled away from Chris Richards to thump a superb header past Henderson from six yards.

Donnarumma preserved City's lead, diving at Jean-Philippe Mateta's feet and then saving the France striker's close-range effort.

Palace had won four of their previous six league games, losing only once, and they were inches away from a second half equaliser when Wharton robbed Nico Gonzalez and lashed against the post from the edge of the area.

Without Belgian winger Jeremy Doku due to a leg injury, City were nowhere near the best and Guardiola's frustration boiled over as he argued with Glasner on the touchline.

But Foden eased Guardiola's angst with his sixth league goal in his last four games in the 69th minute.

Rayan Cherki sparked the goal with a dynamic run towards the Palace area before Foden arrowed a low drive past Henderson from 18 yards.

Haaland wrapped up City's gritty win in the 89th minute, calmly sending Henderson the wrong way from the penalty spot after the Palace keeper had fouled Savinho.

Sports

Saudi National Team Coach: Our Goal Is to Reach the Final of FIFA Arab Cup

Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA
Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA
TT
TT

Saudi National Team Coach: Our Goal Is to Reach the Final of FIFA Arab Cup

Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA
Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA

Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard said that the current phase requires a focus on recovery and proper preparation after qualifying for the semifinals, affirming the players’ readiness for the upcoming match against Jordan, SPA reported.

During a press conference held today in Doha, Renard praised the strong support of Saudi fans, noting their remarkable presence in the previous match, and expressed hope for their continued backing of the team.

He explained that the Jordanian national team is characterized by speed in offensive transitions and strong defensive organization, as demonstrated in its previous matches. He stressed the need for caution while affirming that the Saudi national team possess the necessary capabilities to face the opponent.

The coach reiterated that the match will not be easy and that full focus is directed toward reaching the final of FIFA Arab Cup.

For his part, Saudi national team player Nawaf Boushal affirmed the team’s strong preparations for the upcoming match, noting that they will face a strong and respected opponent.