Argentina faces Colombia to overcome the thorn of Barranquilla: La Scaloneta seeks motivation against one of the few rivals that has beaten them.

The Argentine national team is so far ahead in these qualifiers that they've already won (they're ten points ahead of runners-up Ecuador and Paraguay with nine remaining), and that's why they're able to navigate a calm sea after so much excitement surrounding the competitions, which they've also reigned over during the Lionel Scaloni era. The coach can take some liberties, such as conducting some tests in matches (Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono made their debut as starters against Chile) and also in training (he took the opportunity to promote and scout the U-20 youth players). But the competitive nature that characterizes Lionel Messi and this entire winning group doesn't allow for any relaxation. La Scaloneta is still bitter about last year's defeat in Barranquilla and will therefore seek revenge when they face each other this Tuesday at 9 p.m. at the Monumental.

Only eight defeats have been recorded in the Scaloneta season, and three of them have come in this Qualifier so far . One was against Néstor Lorenzo's Colombia in the stifling and always humid Barranquilla, 2-1 on September 10, 2024. The others were against Uruguay (2-0 at La Bombonera) and Paraguay (2-1 in Asunción).

Messi was absent on that occasion due to injury. The goal for the Argentines was scored by Nicolás González, one of the players vying for a spot in the squad for this new match. Yerson Mosquera and James Rodríguez, from a penalty, scored the goals in Colombia's victory, which was widely celebrated in their home country.

Scaloni's team isn't used to the bitter taste of defeat. But they've always managed to bounce back quickly from every setback they've encountered, as happened in the Qatar 2022 World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia. The happy ending is already known to all.

The Argentine team will be reunited with its fans, who delighted in the historic 4-1 thrashing of Brazil in its last home game, also without captain Leo. But this time, Messi will be present. After being benched in Santiago to regulate his loads as he makes his Club World Cup debut this Saturday with Inter Miami, the almost 38-year-old Rosario native will return as a starter in what will be his first match in the country in 2025.

An important fact: this could be their penultimate official match for points in Argentina . Of course, there are no friendlies scheduled for the country in the AFA calendar. La Scaloneta will play again in September against Venezuela in Buenos Aires, before closing out the qualifiers in Quito against Ecuador.

He has commitments in Angola, China, and Qatar between October and November. And there's no news on the horizon regarding a tentative date for the Finalissima with Spain. That's why every match the number 10 has left in Argentina takes on even greater significance.

Leo wants more. Revenge in Barranquilla will be the goal of this clash with a Colombia team that sits sixth in the standings with 21 points, 13 behind Argentina. They haven't won in five matches, with three losses and two draws in a row.

"It's strange to say that Colombia is in a slump, losing matches and points that they shouldn't have conceded. Their ranking is misleading; for me, they're on par with the best teams and will make things difficult for us; they could finish second in the qualifiers. They're a tough, attacking opponent, who recently beat Spain. They have a very clear way of playing, which can cause problems. We've already shown the players their strengths and where we can take advantage," Scaloni analyzed about Lorenzo's team.

Of the starting eleven that lost in Barranquilla, the majority of the squad now includes Dibu Martínez, Otamendi, Cuti Romero, De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Nico González, Julián Alvarez, and Lautaro Martínez. The only players currently missing due to injuries are Lisandro Martínez and Gonzalo Montiel.

Scaloni will be able to field a lineup more similar to his usual one this time, without as many changes as occurred on the other side of the Andes last Tuesday due to the large number of absences. Otamendi, Enzo, Paredes, and González, who is fighting for the left wing spot with Almada, return. And, of course, the most anticipated return is that of captain Leo Messi, who, if he scores, will complete his 20 consecutive years of scoring in the sky blue and white jersey.

Amidst an ideal, tranquil atmosphere, the national team challenges itself to not let up against Colombia, giving the Argentines another performance of total football and, in the process, taking revenge for the blow in Barranquilla.