Otamendi scores penalty in Argentina’s defeat in Barranquilla
Benfica’s centre-back was a starter and was linked to the second defeat of the World and South American champions in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup
At 33 years old, James Rodríguez continues to have an exquisite left foot and it was from there that, this Tuesday, in Barranquilla, Colombia prevailed over Argentina , current world and South American champion, defeating Lionel Scaloni’s team, which had Nicolás Otamendi ( Benfica ) full-time, to the second defeat in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup .
The net moved for the first time in the 25th minute, when a guided cross from James found Wolverhampton midfielder Yerson Mosquera on the third floor for the header that earned the 1-0 lead, with which they went into the break.
At the start of the second half, the visitors were quick to react, with Juventus winger Nico González taking advantage of a loose ball by the cafeteros in midfield to accelerate into the area and beat Camilo Vargas.
It was 1-1 and, when one might have thought that Argentina would go on the attack in search of the three points, it ended up being Colombia who made it 2-1: a penalty committed by Otamendi , in a sliding tackle in the area on Daniel Muñoz, was sanctioned by the referee on VAR and, in the penalty kick, James Rodríguez made no mistake, sealing the Colombian victory.