Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata scored the goals as Colombia recorded a 2-0 win over Argentina in Saturday night's Copa America clash at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova.
Martinez's stunner in the 71st minute was followed by a late Duvan Zapata finish as Carlos Queiroz's side opened their Group B campaign with an impressive victory against an off-colour and disappointing Argentina outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's text coverage of the action below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Copa America clash between Argentina and Colombia at the Arena Font Nova. Argentina - 14-time winners - have been finalists in each of the last two editions of the tournament, losing to Chile on both occasions. Colombia, meanwhile, have only ever won the Copa America on one occasion, which occurred back in 2001.
TEAMS!
ARGENTINA: Armani; Saravia, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Paredes, Rodriguez; Di Maria, Messi, Lo Celso; Aguero
COLOMBIA: Ospina; Medina, Mina, D Sanchez, Tesillo; Cuadrado, Barrios, Uribe; James, Falcao, Muriel
Well then, quite a star-studded attack for Argentina. As expected, Sergio Aguero leads the line with support from Angel di Maria and Lionel Messi, while there is also a spot in the XI for the in-demand Giovani Lo Celso, who continues to be linked with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Elsewhere, there are also positions for America's Guido Rodriguez and Porto defender Renzo Saravia.
As for Colombia, head coach Carlos Queiroz can also name a very talented side. Radamel Falcao will skipper the team from centre-forward, while it is a Premier League pairing at the heart of the defence with Everton's Yerry Mina joined by Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez. Juan Cuadrado also starts, while Luis Muriel is given the nod over Duvan Zapata alongside Falcao and James Rodriguez.
Here we go then - the national anthems have been sung, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. We are just about ready for kickoff here!
KICKOFF: Colombia kick things off in Bahia...
... Argentina have seriously underperformed on the international stage in recent years when considering their talent. The blue and whites will be keen to start their Copa America campaign with a win but Colombia are very dangerous opponents. This should be a really good game.
I suspect that there might be a few yellow cards tonight as there have been some very, very lively challenges in the first few minutes. The referee is letting the game flow, though.
Paraguay and Qatar are the other two teams in this group and it would be a huge surprise if Argentina and Colombia did not advance. Finishing third could also be enough to advance to the next round depending on the amount of points. Still goalless with five minutes played here.
Good defending from Davinson Sanchez to block a low cross from Messi, who had found space in a dangerous position. The resulting corner is then headed over by the towering Yerry Mina.
Ospina does well to clear ahead of Aguero after the Manchester City forward had been sent through by Messi. Smart goalkeeping from the Colombian, who seemed to pick up a knock.
As mentioned earlier, there have been some tasty challenges in the first 10 minutes and Otamendi has just gone through the back of Cuadrado, which brings a furious reaction.
It appears that Colombia might be forced into a change here with Muriel struggling.
COLOMBIA SUB! Indeed the alteration is made as Roger Martinez replaces Muriel.
CHANCE! Big chance for Colombia as smart work from Falcao leads to Roger Martinez having a clear strike on goal, but his effort is deflected just behind for a corner. Dangerous!
Colombia are the team looking the more likely at the moment with Argentina struggling in a defensive position, which has been their problem in recent years. The opening 18 minutes have absolutely flown past but there have not been too many opportunities in Bahia.
YELLOW CARD! Falcao (Colombia) picks up a yellow card for an elbow on Messi.
Colombia continue to enjoy possession in Argentina's half of the field and Cuadrado has just delivered a dangerous cross towards Falcao, but Otamendi was on hand to make the clearance.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes. However, it would be fair to say that Colombia are the team looking the more likely to make the breakthrough here.
We have not seen too much from Aguero at the tip of the Argentine attack, while Di Maria and Lo Celso have been very quiet in the wider positions. Not the best game at the moment.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and this match has been drama-free for the most part, aside from a few late challenges and that chance for Roger Martinez.
Messi is doing his best to make things happen for Argentina but Colombia are standing strong in a defensive position. You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be absolutely vital in this match. Colombia are again on the attack down the right.
Nervy moment inside the Argentina box following a loose touch from Otamendi but eventually the ball is cleared behind for a Colombia corner, which Lo Celso is on hand to clear.
Still just the one yellow card despite the fact that the challenges are flying in - this is a proper game in that sense, even if there have not been too many clear chances thus far here.
Davinson Sanchez takes the ball away from Aguero once again as Colombia continue to defend their lines. Eventually Paredes looks long towards Di Maria, but Ospina is on hand to collect.
The Argentina fans are growing restless inside the stadium as another attack breaks down. There does not seem to be any real plan in this game, aside from try and find Messi. The Barcelona captain is being well tracked, though, and space is very limited in the final third.
SHOT! James Rodriguez fires harmlessly over the Argentina crossbar from distance.
The referee was just listening to his ear-piece regarding a potential penalty for Colombia. The decision is that play continues, though, and that does appear to be the correct call.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and to be brutally honest, it has not been the best. Colombia would be leading if it were a boxing match, but neither side has done too much.
CLOSE! Falcao sees a header from a James Rodriguez free kick drop wide of the far post.
SHOT! Falcao has a shot blocked by Otamendi as Colombia threaten once again.
YELLOW CARD! Guido Rodriguez (Argentina) is booked for a foul on Cuadrado.
Pass, pass, pass from Colombia as we approach the latter stages of the first period, which has flown past despite not being the best in terms of entertainment and clear opportunities.
I should not imagine that there will be too much in the way of added time.
SHOT! Barrios fires well wide of the Argentina post with an effort from distance.
We are into the third of three additional minutes at the end of the first period. Colombia are going to end the half on the front foot with Argentina extremely disjointed all over the park.
HALF TIME: ARGENTINA 0-0 COLOMBIA
So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with Argentina and Colombia level at 0-0. In truth, it has not been the best of matches thus far. Colombia have shaded the overall play and have also had the better chances, though, with Argentina struggling once again.
STATISTICS! Colombia enjoyed 55% of the ball possession in the first half, but failed to hit the target with any of their five attempts. Argentina only had one attempt off target, though, which is an indication of their struggles here. Colombia's Falcao picked up the game's first yellow card in the 19th minute, before Argentina midfielder Guido Rodriguez was booked in the 42nd minute.
BENCH WATCH! Colombia have already been forced into a change tonight with Luis Muriel replaced by Roger Martinez in the 14th minute. Queiroz still has a lot of attacking talent on his bench, though, including Jefferson Lerma and Duvan Zapata. Argentina, meanwhile, have a star-studded bench which includes Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martinez and Roberto Pereyra.
KICKOFF: Argentina resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the play develops in Bahia.
Just a reminder that Paraguay and Qatar are the two other teams in this group. As a result, a draw tonight would really not be the end of the world for Argentina or Colombia. That said, more criticism would come Argentina's way if this finished in a drab goalless draw.
CLOSE! Paredes misses the Colombia goal with a low strike from distance.
ARGENTINA SUB! Excuse me, there has actually been a change for Argentina at the break - it went unnoticed! Di Maria has been replaced by Rodrigo de Paul. Nothing from Colombia.
Falcao has been really, really bright for Colombia tonight. The striker has snatched at a couple of half-chances but his movement has been excellent, particularly up against Otamendi.
Not quite happened for Messi thus far tonight...
© Reuters
YELLOW CARD! Saravia (Argentina) is booked for a lunge on Barrios.
Colombia have the chance to deliver a free kick following that poor challenge from Saravia. However, there are no takers on James Rodriguez's deep cross into a dangerous position.
Possession football from Argentina as they look to work some space. Eventually Messi drives into a dangerous position but Mina is across to make the challenge. Super defending there.
YELLOW CARD! Paredes (Argentina) is booked for dissent.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and we are still waiting for the first goal. It is much better from Argentina at the moment, though, with Messi much more involved.
All about Messi at the moment as Argentina continue to find the Barcelona captain, but Colombia are just defending so well, particularly Mina, who has been excellent tonight.
SAVE! Decent save from Ospina to keep out a powerful strike from Pezzella, who had stayed forward for Argentina. Colombia are now the team struggling to get out of their own half here.
YELLOW CARD! Cuadrado (Colombia) is booked for a poor challenge on Messi, which leads to a shoving match between a number of players. This is starting to get very lively once again!
Little over 25 minutes of the second period remaining and you do get the feeling that something is going to happen as Messi continues to find space in the final third.
COLOMBIA SUB! Colombia's second change sees Jefferson Lerma replace Cuadrado, which is not a bad idea as another poor challenge from him would probably equal a red card.
Dybala would be the obvious attacking option for Argentina from the bench, but Lautaro Martinez is also available. Aguero has struggled to make his mark thus far tonight.
CHANCE! Huge, huge chance for Argentina as a save from Ospina - from an Otamendi header - drops straight to Messi, but the attacker nods wide of the post! Big moment there.
ARGENTINA SUB! Pizarro replaces Rodriguez for Argentina.
There is no question that Argentina have been the better team in the second period. However, the score is still goalless approaching the final 20 minutes of this Copa America contest.
Both managers can make one more change if they wish in the latter stages. You do get the feeling that one goal would be enough to win this match - it is so delicately poised here.
GOAL! ARGENTINA 0-1 COLOMBIA (ROGER MARTINEZ)
Oh my word, that is some goal! Colombia make the breakthrough in the 71st minute as Roger Martinez cuts onto his right foot before finding the far corner with a thumping strike!
Now then, what a huge test for Argentina. Colombia have the lead heading for the final 15 minutes of action, but you do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match.
All Argentina in terms of possession since the goal went in, but not too much in the way of chances. Aguero has just met a cross from Lo Celso, but the ball dropped harmlessly wide.
Messi is standing over a free kick outside the Colombia box, surely too far?
SAVE! Comfortable save for Ospina to keep out Messi's effort.
Both managers are preparing to make their third and final changes at a crucial period of the match. Can Colombia hold on to overcome Argentina for the first time since 2007?
ARGENTINA SUB! Suarez for Aguero in Argentina's final change of the night.
Colombia will soon make their third change as this game enters its final 10 minutes. Mina and Sanchez have been outstanding at the heart of the Colombian defence tonight - just ask Messi.
COLOMBIA SUB! Duvan Zapata for Falcao is Colombia's third and final change.
Again it is brilliant from Roger Martinez to win Colombia a free kick in an advanced position. The set piece is cleared by Otamendi, but more seconds have been wasted in Bahia.
GOAL! ARGENTINA 0-2 COLOMBIA (ZAPATA)
Game, set and match?! Colombia have their second of the match as Duvan Zapata turns a low Lerma cross into the back of the net from close range. It is another brilliant goal from Colombia and surely it is enough to secure all three points against a poor Argentina side!
YELLOW CARD! Duvan Zapata (Colombia) is booked for removing his shirt to celebrate.
SAVE! Comfortable save for Ospina to keep out a long-range Paredes free kick.
Messi again drives into the Colombia box but again Sanchez is across to make the challenge. There are some very angry and frustrated Argentina supporters inside the stadium here.
SHOT! Lo Celso misses the Colombia post from distance and we are into the second of four additional minutes at the end of the match. Colombia are almost there.
YELLOW CARD! Lerma (Colombia) is booked for a foul on Messi.
FULL TIME: ARGENTINA 0-2 COLOMBIA
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Colombia running out 2-0 winners over Argentina courtesy of goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata - what a performance from Queiroz's side! More disappointment for Argentina, meanwhile. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you next time!
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