The rivalry between the Argentina national football team and the Colombia national football team has been one of the most intriguing in South American football. Both teams have rich histories, talented players, and passionate fanbases, making each encounter a highly anticipated event. From World Cup qualifiers to Copa América clashes, their meetings have often been filled with drama, high stakes, and memorable moments.
In this article, we will explore the timeline of key encounters between Argentina and Colombia, examining how their rivalry has evolved over the years.
1. Early Encounters (1940s-1960s)
The Argentina and Colombia football rivalry began in the mid-20th century, as both countries developed competitive teams. However, Argentina was a dominant force in South American football during this period, winning multiple Copa América titles, while Colombia was still in the process of establishing itself as a football power.
First Meeting: Copa América 1945
The first official match between Argentina and Colombia took place during the 1945 Copa América in Chile. Argentina, boasting an impressive squad, comfortably defeated Colombia 9-1. This match highlighted the difference in quality between the two sides at the time, with Argentina firmly established as a football powerhouse and Colombia still in its early developmental stage.
2. Rise of Colombia (1970s-1980s)
The 1970s and 1980s saw Colombia begin to emerge as a competitive team in South America, while Argentina maintained its reputation as one of the top teams in the world. Colombia’s improvement was marked by their performances in both the World Cup qualifiers and Copa América.
Copa América 1987
One of the notable matches during this period was in the 1987 Copa América, where Colombia secured a stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina in the third-place match. This was a major upset, as Argentina was the reigning World Cup champion, having won the 1986 tournament in Mexico. Colombia’s victory signaled their growing stature in South American football and marked a turning point in their rivalry with Argentina.
3. Colombia’s Golden Era and Memorable Matches (1990s)
The 1990s were a transformative decade for Colombian football, often referred to as the “Golden Era.” With players like Carlos Valderrama, Faustino Asprilla, and René Higuita, Colombia became a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. During this time, Colombia faced Argentina in several important and memorable matches.
World Cup Qualifier 1993: The Legendary 5-0
Perhaps the most iconic match in the history of Argentina vs. Colombia came during the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. On September 5, 1993, Colombia stunned the football world by defeating Argentina 5-0 in Buenos Aires. This humiliating loss for Argentina, in front of their home crowd, is considered one of the greatest performances in Colombian football history. Freddy Rincón, Faustino Asprilla, and Adolfo Valencia all found the back of the net, as Colombia dominated the match from start to finish. The result sent shockwaves through the football world and marked Colombia as a true footballing power.
1994 World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States saw both Argentina and Colombia qualify. However, both teams had contrasting fortunes in the tournament. Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, started strong but was knocked out in the round of 16 by Romania. Colombia, despite high expectations following their stunning qualifier win, had a disappointing tournament, exiting in the group stage. Their poor performance led to national tragedy, as defender Andrés Escobar was tragically murdered after scoring an own goal in a crucial match against the USA.
4. The 2000s: Argentina’s Dominance and Colombia’s Struggles
The 2000s saw a shift in the rivalry, as Argentina reasserted its dominance while Colombia went through a period of rebuilding. Argentina, featuring stars like Juan Román Riquelme, Lionel Messi, and Carlos Tévez, regularly outperformed Colombia in competitive matches.
Copa América 2004: Quarterfinal Showdown
One of the key matches during this period came in the 2004 Copa América, held in Peru. Argentina and Colombia faced off in the quarterfinals, with Argentina emerging as 3-0 winners. Carlos Tévez, Lucho González, and Juan Pablo Sorín scored for Argentina, sending them to the semifinals. This match was emblematic of Argentina’s superiority over Colombia during this decade.
World Cup Qualifiers
Throughout the 2000s, Argentina often got the better of Colombia in World Cup qualifiers. Colombia, struggling to qualify for major tournaments, found it difficult to match the talent and organization of Argentina’s squad. The matches between the two teams were competitive, but Argentina generally had the upper hand, both home and away.
5. Modern Era: Renewed Rivalry (2010s-Present)
The 2010s marked a resurgence for Colombia, as a new generation of players led by James Rodríguez, Radamel Falcao, and Juan Cuadrado brought the team back to prominence. Meanwhile, Argentina continued to be a major force, with Lionel Messi leading the team through multiple Copa América and World Cup campaigns.
Copa América 2015: Quarterfinal Drama
One of the most dramatic encounters between Argentina and Colombia in recent years came during the 2015 Copa América quarterfinals in Chile. After a goalless draw in regular time, the match went to a penalty shootout. Argentina triumphed 5-4 in the shootout, with Carlos Tévez scoring the decisive penalty. This result knocked Colombia out of the tournament, while Argentina went on to reach the final, where they lost to Chile.
Copa América 2019: Colombia’s Victory
Colombia finally got the better of Argentina in the group stage of the 2019 Copa América in Brazil. Colombia won 2-0, with goals from Roger Martínez and Duván Zapata. This victory was a significant one for Colombia, as it was their first win over Argentina in the Copa América since 1999. Colombia topped their group, while Argentina struggled to find their best form in the early stages of the tournament.
World Cup Qualifiers 2022
In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Argentina and Colombia played two highly competitive matches. The first encounter, held in Buenos Aires in June 2021, ended in a 2-2 draw, with Lionel Messi once again playing a key role for Argentina. The second match, in Barranquilla, saw Argentina secure a narrow 1-0 victory, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the only goal.
6. Conclusion: A Rivalry Defined by Drama and Respect
The Argentina-Colombia football rivalry has seen its fair share of iconic moments, from Colombia’s historic 5-0 win in 1993 to Argentina’s numerous Copa América triumphs over their northern rivals. Both teams have experienced highs and lows over the years, and their matches are always highly anticipated by fans and pundits alike.
As the rivalry continues into the 2020s, with both teams boasting exciting squads, the future encounters between Argentina and Colombia will undoubtedly be filled with more drama, tension, and unforgettable moments. Whether in World Cup qualifiers, Copa América, or friendlies, Argentina vs. Colombia remains one of the most captivating fixtures in South American football.
