Colombia 2-2 Argentina: Borja levels in 94th minute as Messi's La Albiceleste blow two-goal lead

Barranquilla (Colombia), June 9: Miguel Borja scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Colombia came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw with Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.

Colombia substitute Borja produced a bullet header in the 94th minute to pinch a share of the spoils after Argentina had raced to a two-goal lead inside the opening eight minutes on Tuesday (June 8).

Goals from Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes appeared to have Lionel Messi's Argentina cruising to victory, but Colombia pulled one back early in the second half via Luis Muriel's penalty.

Borja, who was one of three half-time substitutes for Colombia, produced the decisive late intervention, moving his side to eight points from six games in qualifying.

🏆 #Eliminatorias

⚽ @Argentina 🇦🇷 2 (Cristian Romero y Leandro Paredes) 🆚 #Colombia 🇨🇴 2 (Luis Muriel y Miguel Borja)

👉 Final del encuentro en Barranquilla pic.twitter.com/Dm6Grp44k6

— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) June 9, 2021

Argentina remain undefeated but have drawn three of their past four qualifiers, having collected 12 points from six games in total on the roar to Qatar 2022.

Atalanta defender Romero powered home a third-minute header from Rodrigo De Paul's set-piece for the visitors, who were two up early after the ball pinballed on the edge of the box, with Paredes producing a composed low finish.

It meant Argentina scored two goals before the first 10 minutes of a World Cup qualifier for the first time since 2011.

Argentina almost had a third inside half an hour when Colombia keeper David Ospina saved Lautaro Martinez's shot and Nicolas Gonzalez fired the rebound into the post.

La Albiceleste were forced into a first-half goalkeeper change after Colombia defender Yerry Mina clattered into Emiliano Martinez, who was stretchered off.

2 - Argentina, with the goals by Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes, have scored two goals before the first ten minutes in a game in the South American WC Qualifiers for the first time since 2011. Relentless. pic.twitter.com/ET1hfzVHvd

— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) June 8, 2021

Daniel Zapata flashed a shot wide before the break for Colombia, who reduced the deficit after Nicolas Otamendi was adjudged to have elbowed Mateus Uribe, with Muriel sending substitute keeper Agustin Marchesin the wrong way from the spot.

Messi almost caught out Ospina with a curling 58th-minute free-kick, while the Barcelona superstar's crafty ball set up Martinez for a sharp chance too.

Colombia mounted pressure with Muriel shooting over after Borja's chest down, while another Messi shot forced a low Ospina save.

The hosts found an equaliser deep into injury-time when Juventus star Juan Cuadrado's right-flank cross found Borja whose header went in under Marchesin.

What does it mean? Argentina still unbeaten

Argentina fluffed a golden chance to stay in touch with leaders Brazil and move clear of the pack in second spot in qualifying, but remain unbeaten with three wins and three draws from six games. La Albiceleste head coach Lionel Scaloni will be concerned by their inability to close out games, having blown leads in their past two fixtures.

Improvement for La Tricolor

Colombia will feel like they got out of jail in this instance but remain middle of the pack after heavy losses to Ecuador and Uruguay early in their campaign.

First-half firepower

Two goals inside the opening 10 minutes reiterated Argentina's fast-starting reputation. Scaloni's side have scored eight of their nine goals in 2022 World Cup qualifying in first halves.

What's next?

All going well, the Copa America will commence in Brazil, with Argentina to start against Chile on Monday (June 14) in Group A, while Colombia are due to begin against Ecuador in Group B on Sunday (June 13).