The upcoming match between Colombia and Argentina is set for the eighth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Néstor Lorenzo’s team will host Lionel Scaloni’s squad, aiming to maintain their position at the top of the standings while also preserving their unbeaten record.
Colombia’s last qualifying victory over Argentina occurred in 2007 in Bogotá, where they triumphed 2-1 with goals from Dayro Moreno and Rubén Darío Bustos against a squad then coached by Alfio El Coco Basile.
Argentina’s squad is valued at twice that of Colombia’s, according to Transfermarkt, a portal that specializes in player market values. Argentina ranks second in terms of total valuation among teams in the qualifiers, just behind Brazil, while Colombia sits in fourth place with a squad valued at 292 million euros. In contrast, Argentina’s team is valued at 821 million euros, creating a disparity of over 520 million euros.
As for individual player valuations, the total worth of the players competing in the match on September 10, 2024, stands at 1.114 billion euros. Lautaro Martínez, the Inter Milan forward and a standout performer in the 2024 Copa América, is the most valuable player in the upcoming clash, surpassing 100 million euros. Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister follow him in value.
For Colombia, Luis Díaz is the only player representing them among the highest valuations, standing at 75 million euros. He is accompanied by Daniel Muñoz, Jefferson Lerma, and Jhon Jader Durán in terms of value.
Here’s a breakdown of the top ten most valuable players for the Colombia vs. Argentina match:
1. Lautaro Martínez: 110 million euros
2. Julián Álvarez: 90 million euros
3. Alexis Mac Allister: 75 million euros
4. Enzo Fernández: 75 million euros
5. Luis Díaz: 75 million euros
6. Cristian Romero: 65 million euros
7. Lisandro Martínez: 50 million euros
8. Alejandro Garnacho: 45 million euros
9. Nicolás González: 35 million euros
10. Rodrigo de Paul: 30 million euros
The match on September 10 will kick off the eighth round of qualifiers, followed by Colombia’s away game against Bolivia in El Alto and their home match against Chile, managed by Ricardo Gareca. Argentina will face Venezuela away before returning to Buenos Aires to play against Bolivia for rounds 9 and 10 in October 2024. The schedule for the matches on September 10, 2024, is as follows:
– Colombia vs. Argentina – Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, 3:30 p.m.
– Ecuador vs. Perú – Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, Quito, 4:00 p.m.
– Chile vs. Bolivia – Estadio Nacional, Santiago de Chile, 4:00 p.m.
– Venezuela vs. Uruguay – Estadio Monumental, Maturín, 5:00 p.m.
– Paraguay vs. Brasil – Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, 7:30 p.m.
In the current standings ahead of the eighth round:
– Argentina: 18 points (goal difference +9)
– Uruguay: 14 points (goal difference +8)
– Colombia: 13 points (goal difference +3)
– Brazil: 10 points (goal difference +2)
– Venezuela: 9 points (goal difference -1)
– Ecuador: 8 points (goal difference +1)
– Paraguay: 6 points (goal difference -2)
– Bolivia: 6 points (goal difference -6)
– Chile: 5 points (goal difference -7)
– Perú: 3 points (goal difference -7)