Football matches between Argentina and Colombia rarely lack drama, but the June 2025 World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Monumental delivered something extra: a red card, a late equalizer, and a tense exchange between Lionel Messi and James Rodríguez that sent social media into overdrive. Here’s what happened, what it means for qualifying, and where you can catch the highlights.

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Final score: 1-1 draw ·
Date: June 10, 2025 ·
Competition: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier ·
Colombia goal scorer: Luis Díaz ·
Red card: Enzo Fernández (Argentina)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Matchday 14 of CONMEBOL qualifiers (YouTube (video platform))
  • Enzo Fernández red card – high boot on Kevin Castaño (Bolavip (sports news site))
4What’s next
  • Argentina face remaining qualifiers away to Venezuela and home to Brazil
  • Enzo Fernández may face suspension for red card
  • Colombia continue push for direct qualification spot

Seven key facts from the match, one pattern: Argentina’s resilience after going a man down defined the contest.

Label Value
Score Argentina 1-1 Colombia
Date June 10, 2025
Venue Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
Referee Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
Colombia goal Luis Díaz 20′
Argentina goal Thiago Almada 65′
Red card Enzo Fernández 35′

What did Messi say to James Rodriguez?

The on-field confrontation

  • After the final whistle, Messi and James Rodríguez exchanged heated words near the centre circle (beIN SPORTS (sports broadcaster)).
  • One unconfirmed report says Messi told James: “You said that they helped us in the Copa America final. You talk too much.” James reportedly replied: “I didn’t say anything.” (YouTube (video platform))
The flashpoint

The exchange became a viral moment, but without an official transcript, the exact words remain hearsay. What is clear is that tensions from the 2024 Copa America final – where Argentina beat Colombia – spilled over.

Messi’s reaction to James

  • Video footage shows Messi gesturing and pointing repeatedly as James walked away (YouTube (video platform)).
  • The incident was described as “evenly contested” despite the emotional flashpoint (AS USA (sports daily)).
Why this matters

The confrontation reveals lingering resentment between two of South America’s biggest stars. For fans, it adds a personal rivalry to the next meeting between these teams.

The implication: The exchange may fuel narratives heading into future qualifiers, but the match itself was decided by on-field actions, not words.

Did Argentina qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Current standings

  • As of June 2025, Argentina sit near the top of the CONMEBOL table, but qualification is not yet mathematically secured (AS USA (sports daily)).
  • With several rounds remaining, the Albiceleste need a few more wins to guarantee a top-six finish (AS USA (sports daily)).

Argentina’s qualifying campaign

  • Argentina have been dominant throughout the qualifiers, but this draw and the red card raise questions about depth and discipline (beIN SPORTS (sports broadcaster)).
  • Upcoming fixtures: away to Venezuela and home to Brazil will test their resilience (AS USA (sports daily)).

Remaining matches

  • Argentina: @ Venezuela, vs Brazil, @ Bolivia, vs Uruguay – all winnable but tricky.
  • Colombia: @ Ecuador, vs Venezuela, @ Paraguay, vs Chile – need points to stay in direct spots.
Bottom line: Argentina’s path to the 2026 World Cup is still clear, but the red card and dropped points at home show they cannot afford further slip-ups. For Colombia, a point away in Buenos Aires is a strong result in a tight qualifying race.

Where can I watch the Colombia vs Argentina game?

TV channels by country

  • United States: beIN Sports (beIN SPORTS (sports broadcaster))
  • Latin America: Fanatiz (streaming service)
  • United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer (highlights only) – no live broadcast confirmed.
  • Canada: Fubo (streaming service)

Streaming options

  • Fanatiz offers a dedicated CONMEBOL qualifiers package (AS USA (sports daily)).
  • Fubo in Canada includes beIN Sports as part of its sports tier.
  • In the US, beIN Sports is available via cable or the beIN Sports Connect app.

UK specific

  • No live broadcaster for the match; however, highlights later appeared on BBC Sport online and YouTube channels.

The catch: Streaming availability varies by region and subscription package, so fans should check local listings closer to matchday.

Who won the penalty for Argentina?

Penalty incident

  • According to match reports, no penalty was awarded to Argentina in this fixture (AS USA (sports daily)).
  • There were no VAR reviews for spot-kick situations during the 90 minutes.

Who took it

  • Since no penalty occurred, there is no taker to report.

Result

  • N/A – the question likely arises from earlier matches or confusion with other qualifiers. In this specific Argentina vs Colombia game, the only goal came from open play via Luis Díaz and Thiago Almada.

The trade-off: Penalty questions often generate high search interest, but in this case the real drama came from a red card and a late equalizer, not a spot kick.

Will Messi be in the 2026 World Cup?

Messi’s future plans

  • Lionel Messi, now 38, has not publicly confirmed whether he will participate in the 2026 World Cup (Bolavip (sports news site)).
  • His current form remains strong, but the physical demands of a fifth World Cup would be unprecedented for a player his age.

Current form

  • In this qualifier, Messi created chances and had a late shot that missed to the right (AS USA (sports daily)).
  • He remains Argentina’s creative fulcrum, but the team is beginning to integrate younger talents like Thiago Almada and Enzo Fernández.

Argentina’s need

  • If Messi retires before 2026, Argentina will need to rely on a new generation. The match against Colombia showed both the value of Messi’s leadership and the squad’s ability to fight without him (he wasn’t the one who equalized).
What to watch

Messi’s decision likely depends on his health and Argentina’s development. If they win the 2026 World Cup, he may bow out on top; if they struggle, he might feel compelled to continue. Either way, the clock is ticking for the GOAT.

The pattern: The uncertainty over Messi’s future adds a layer of drama to every Argentina match, but the team is already showing signs of life beyond its talisman.

Timeline signal

  • June 10, 2025 – Matchday 14: Argentina vs Colombia World Cup qualifier at Estadio Monumental.
  • 20′: Luis Díaz scores for Colombia with a solo run (AS USA (sports daily)).
  • 35′: Enzo Fernández shown straight red card for a high boot on Kevin Castaño (Bolavip (sports news site)).
  • 65′: Thiago Almada equalizes for Argentina (beIN SPORTS (sports broadcaster)).
  • 90+’: Messi and James Rodríguez exchange words after final whistle (YouTube (video platform)).

The sequence of events shows how a single red card shifted the balance, but Colombia’s failure to hold the lead cost them two points.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Final score 1-1 (AS USA (sports daily))
  • Luis Díaz goal (20′) (Bolavip (sports news site))
  • Thiago Almada goal (65′) (beIN SPORTS (sports broadcaster))
  • Enzo Fernández red card (35′) (YouTube (video platform))

What’s unclear

  • Exact words of Messi–James exchange (YouTube (video platform))
  • Whether Argentina have mathematically qualified
  • Messi’s World Cup 2026 participation
  • Exact nature of Enzo Fernández’s foul (described as high boot but not fully confirmed)
  • Venue: Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
  • Referee: Wilton Sampaio
  • Match was part of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers

Quotes from the match

“You said that they helped us in the Copa America final. You talk too much.”

— Lionel Messi to James Rodríguez (reported, via YouTube (video platform))

“I didn’t say anything.”

— James Rodríguez’s reported reply (YouTube (video platform))

The consequence: For Argentina, the red card and dropped points at home serve as a warning. For Colombia, the draw in Buenos Aires is a morale booster and a step toward securing a top-six spot. The real test for both teams will come in the remaining rounds, where every point matters.

Additional sources

youtube.com

For a closer look at who took the pitch from the first whistle, check out the confirmed starting XIs before the action unfolded.

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Frequently asked questions

How many times have Argentina and Colombia played?

The two teams have faced each other dozens of times in official matches, with Argentina holding a historical edge. This qualifier was their latest meeting in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.

Who has the better head-to-head record?

Argentina lead the overall head-to-head in World Cup qualifiers, but Colombia have earned notable draws and wins in recent years, including the 2024 Copa America final.

What is the significance of this match for World Cup qualifying?

This was Matchday 14, a crucial juncture. Argentina dropped two points at home, while Colombia gained a valuable away point. Both teams are in the top six but need consistent results to secure direct qualification.

Which players are suspended for the next match?

Enzo Fernández will likely serve a suspension for his straight red card. The exact ban length depends on CONMEBOL’s disciplinary review.

Was there any VAR controversy in this game?

No major VAR controversy was reported. The red card was reviewed and upheld, and no penalties were awarded or disallowed after review.

What did fans react on social media?

The Messi–James exchange trended on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with fans speculating on the words exchanged. Many memes and short clips circulated.

What are the implications for the CONMEBOL standings?

Argentina remain in the top three, but the draw allowed Brazil and Uruguay to close the gap. Colombia hold a direct qualification spot with a cushion, but still need points to avoid falling into the playoff zone.