BARRANQUILLA, June 8 (Xinhua) — Substitute Miguel Borja scored in the 94th minute to earn Colombia a 2-2 home draw with Argentina in their FIFA World Cup qualifier here on Tuesday.
Borja, who replaced Duvan Zapata at halftime, headed home at the far post after a Juan Cuadrado cross from the right wing.
The result at Estadio Metropolitano in the Caribbean port city of Barranquilla left Argentina with 12 points from six matches, four points ahead of Colombia.
It took just three minutes for the visitors to take the lead, with Atalanta defender Cristian Romero rising highest after a Rodrigo de Paul free-kick and sending a powerful header into the top-right corner.
Leandro Paredes doubled the advantage five minutes later when he skipped past two defenders before sliding a shot past David Ospina.
The hosts emerged from the halftime break with renewed energy after the introduction of Borja, Edwin Cardona and Wilmar Barrios.
They reduced the deficit in the 51st minute through Luis Muriel, who converted a penalty after Nicolas Otamendi struck Mateus Uribe with an elbow to the face.
The goal sparked an immediate response from Argentina and Lionel Messi nearly added a third goal with a curling 25-yard free-kick that was expertly tipped over the bar by Ospina.
The Napoli goalkeeper then saved chances from Lautaro Martinez and Messi again as Argentina continued to seize the initiative but failed to capitalize on their chances.
Borja’s goal in the penultimate minute meant Colombia took a creditable four points from the doubleheader of qualifiers under new coach Reinaldo Rueda, reviving the team’s hopes of securing a berth in Qatar next year.
Earlier on Tuesday, Peru beat Ecuador 2-0 in Quito and Uruguay drew 0-0 with Venezuela in Caracas.
