Lionel Messi’s return to Argentina on Thursday night was saved by a former Major League Soccer star. Messi can now concentrate on leading Inter Miami in this week’s FIFA Club World Cup.
At Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thiago Almada, a 2022–24 player for Atlanta United, scored the game-winning goal to save a 1–1 tie with Colombia.
About three minutes after Messi was taken off the field after starting his first game in his native nation this year, Almada scored in the 81st minute.
Messi appeared to escape the contest unhurt despite hitting the deck multiple times following difficult challenges from defenders. Messi is expected to arrive back in South Florida on Wednesday and practice with Inter Miami on Thursday and Friday prior to the opening game of the Club World Cup’s three group stage.
Colombia defeated the World Cup champions for the second time since the 2024 Copa America final, almost ruining Messi’s comeback with a goal in the 24th minute from Liverpool star Luis Díaz.
After Argentina was forced to play with 10 men to end the game, Almada scored about 11 minutes later. In the 70th minute, Enzo Fernandez was sent off for kicking Colombian Kevin Castaño in the left side of his forehead while attempting to make contact with an aerial ball.
On July 15, 2024, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 to win the Copa America championship for the second time in a row. On September 10, 2024, Colombia defeated Argentina 2-1 in a game in which Messi was sidelined by an ankle injury.
Argentina has already earned a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Messi, meanwhile, has not yet announced that he will participate in the competition the following year.
Argentina has lost three times since winning the World Cup in Qatar
Although Argentina has lost three of their past 36 games since their opening defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they have lost twice in their last ten games. Argentina has only lost five of their last 74 games overall.
- Argentina lost 2-0 to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America semifinals.
- Argentina opened the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 22, 2022.
- Argentina lost 2-0 to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifying match on Nov. 17, 2023.
- Argentina lost 2-1 to Colombia in a Copa America final rematch on Sept. 10 in a game Messi did not play due to an ankle injury.
- Argentina fell 2-1 to Paraguay in a World Cup qualifying match on Nov. 14, 2023.
Goal from Thiago Almada: Argentina 1, Colombia 1.
This match against Colombia was tied in the 81st minute, just three minutes after Lionel Messi had left the game as a replacement, when Thiago Almada dribbled past two players and sent a right boot into the goal.
In the 78th minute, Messi leaves the game: Argentina 0; Colombia 1
After being taken off the field in the 78th minute, Lionel Messi’s night is over.
Goal from Luis DiÁaz: Colombia 1, Argentina 0
Colombia leads Argentina 1-0 after Luis Díaz scored in the 24th minute after dribbling past multiple players. The Liverpool star scored an outstanding goal.
When does Argentina vs. Colombia start?
At 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina), the game kicks off.
How to watch Argentina vs Colombia on TV, live stream?
In the United States, Telemundo will broadcast the game. You may watch soccer on Fubo by clicking this link.
Is Messi playing in the Argentina vs. Colombia game?
Yes, Messi will start and is anticipated to play.
Messi played almost 40 minutes in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Chile on Thursday, coming off the bench. The game’s lone goal was scored by Julián Alvarez.
Messi played in all seven of Inter Miami’s May games before to rejoining Argentina earlier this month.
What are the CONMEBOL rankings for qualifying for the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina leads the CONMEBOL rankings with 34 points and has already qualified for the upcoming World Cup. The other six South American teams who would qualify for the World Cup are Ecuador (24 points), Paraguay (24), Brazil (22), Uruguay (21) and Colombia (21).
When is Messi scheduled to play in the FIFA Club World Cup?
At 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Messi and Inter Miami will take on Egyptian team Al Ahly in the Club World Cup opening at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. To wrap up the group stage, Inter Miami will also play FC Porto (Portugal) in Atlanta on June 19 and SE Palmeiras (Brazil) in Miami on June 23.
Will Lionel Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?
Messi has not yet stated if he would play for the reigning champions, Argentina, in the upcoming World Cup.
