Argentina vs. Colombia: Enzo Fernandez’s Struggles and Messi’s Absence Lead to Copa America Final Rematch Defeat

In a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s Copa America final, Argentina faced Colombia with both teams eager to assert their dominance on the international stage. The absence of Lionel Messi, who is sidelined with an injury, was a significant factor in the Albiceleste’s performance. Despite their efforts, Argentina fell to a James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia, who capitalized on their opportunities to secure a hard-fought victory. Here’s a detailed look at the player ratings for Argentina’s performance in this crucial encounter.

Emiliano Martinez – 6/10

The Aston Villa goalkeeper had a mixed performance. Martinez made a few crucial saves to keep Argentina in the game, but he was ultimately beaten by a well-placed shot from Rodriguez. His distribution was occasionally off-target, and there were moments when his positioning could have been better.

Nahuel Molina – 6/10

Molina struggled to cope with Colombia’s attacking threats down the flanks. While he made several tackles and interceptions, his offensive contributions were limited. He failed to provide the necessary support to Argentina’s attack and was often caught out of position, allowing Colombia’s wingers to exploit the spaces.

Cristian Romero – 7/10

Romero was one of the brighter spots in Argentina’s defense. He put in a solid defensive performance with several crucial blocks and clearances. His positioning and reading of the game were commendable, but he couldn’t fully contain Rodriguez’s movement, which proved to be decisive in the match.

Lisandro Martinez – 6/10

Martinez had a challenging game, struggling with the physicality of Colombia’s forwards. His distribution from the back was inconsistent, and he was caught out of position on a few occasions. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t prevent the goal that ultimately decided the game.

Marcos Acuna – 6/10

Acuna’s performance was a mix of good and bad. He contributed defensively with several important tackles and clearances but was largely ineffective going forward. His crossing and passing were off-target, and he struggled to link up with Argentina’s midfield and attack.

Rodrigo De Paul – 6/10

De Paul had a quiet game by his standards. He was involved in the midfield battles but couldn’t impose his usual influence on the game. His passing was often too conservative, and he struggled to create meaningful chances for his teammates. His defensive efforts were notable, but they were not enough to prevent Colombia’s attacking play.

Enzo Fernandez – 5/10

Fernandez had a particularly underwhelming performance. The midfielder, who has been a key player for Argentina, faltered in this game. His passing was frequently inaccurate, and he failed to control the tempo of the game. Defensively, he was ineffective, and his inability to link up with his teammates was a significant factor in Argentina’s lack of creativity.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6/10

Mac Allister was somewhat isolated in midfield. While he tried to make an impact with his movement and vision, he struggled to break through Colombia’s well-organized defense. His passing was inconsistent, and he couldn’t provide the necessary support to Argentina’s attack.

Nicolas Gonzalez – 6/10

Gonzalez showed some promise with his pace and direct running, but his final product was lacking. He had a few chances to make an impact but was either off-target or denied by Colombia’s defense. His work rate was commendable, but he couldn’t make a decisive contribution to the scoreline.

Joaquin Correa – 5/10

Correa struggled to make an impact up front. He was frequently outmuscled by Colombia’s defenders and couldn’t find the spaces to create scoring opportunities. His touches were often too heavy, and his inability to link up effectively with his teammates hindered Argentina’s attacking flow.

Lautaro Martinez – 6/10

Martinez was one of the few Argentine players who showed some promise in attack. He worked hard to create chances and had a few shots on goal, but his efforts were either blocked or off-target. His movement was good, but he lacked the support and service necessary to convert his chances into goals.

Substitutes:

Angel Di Maria – 7/10

Di Maria made a noticeable impact after coming on. He provided some much-needed creativity and attacking flair. His delivery from set-pieces and crosses was a highlight, and he created a few dangerous moments for Argentina. Despite his efforts, the team couldn’t capitalize on his contributions.

Exequiel Palacios – 6/10

Palacios added some energy and dynamism to the midfield after his introduction. He was more effective in breaking up play and moving the ball forward. However, he couldn’t provide the game-changing impact that Argentina needed in the latter stages of the match.

Julian Alvarez – 6/10

Alvarez showed some promise with his movement and link-up play. He had a few chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. His work rate was impressive, but he lacked the finishing touch to make a significant difference in the final result.

Conclusion

Argentina’s performance in this rematch against Colombia was marred by missed opportunities and a lack of cohesion, particularly in the absence of their star player, Lionel Messi. While some players, like Cristian Romero and Angel Di Maria, showed glimpses of quality, the overall team performance was below par. Colombia, led by James Rodriguez, capitalized on their chances and secured a well-deserved victory. For Argentina, it’s back to the drawing board as they look to regroup and find their rhythm ahead of their upcoming fixtures.