The Colombia National Team took the field against Argentina with urgency, desperate to snap a five-game winless streak. Head coach Nestor Lorenzo’s squad opened the World Cup Qualifiers game with high intensity, especially in the midfield, setting the tone early. James Rodriguez, back in top form, controlled the tempo and orchestrated Colombia’s attacks with precision. But it was Luis Diaz who lit up the scoreboard first, giving them a well-earned early lead.
The breakthrough came after a brilliant defensive effort by James, who recovered the ball deep in his own half. With vision and composure, Colombia‘s captain carried the ball to midfield and delivered a perfectly weighted pass to the left wing, finding Luis Diaz in stride. The Liverpool winger surged forward, slicing through four Argentine defenders before slotting the ball past Emiliano Martínez.
Colombia’s midfield looked far more cohesive than in previous outings, with Richard Rios playing a pivotal role after missing the match against Peru due to a minor injury. His return gave the team greater balance, helping neutralize Argentina’s counterattacks through consistent numerical superiority in the center of the pitch. James Rodriguez also dropped deeper, often forming a four-man midfield that controlled the tempo.
In a surprising move, head coach Nestor Lorenzo opted to leave Jhon Arias on the bench. While risky, the decision paid off. It was not a reflection of Arias’ form, but rather a tactical adjustment that prioritized physicality and positional discipline. Daniel Muñoz took over the right wing and delivered a complete performance, asserting himself both defensively and in attack.
Is Luis Diaz the most important player of the Colombian National Team?
Since Luis Diaz’s breakthrough at FC Porto in 2022, he has become a regular presence for Colombia on the left wing. He has scored 18 goals in 63 international appearances. As a result, many fans now wonder if the Liverpool winger has become the national team’s most indispensable player.
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Despite his impressive level, it may be difficult to call him the most important figure on the Colombian team. However, he clearly belongs to the core group of players head coach Nestor Lorenzo’s team depend on. That group includes James Rodriguez, Daniel Muñoz, Jefferson Lerma, and Richard Rios.
Depending on a large core of players highlights a bigger issue: Colombia still lack the roster depth seen in top-tier teams. For example, Argentina no longer build everything around Lionel Messi. Instead, Lionel Scaloni has assembled a squad with multiple game-changers. Talents like Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, and Nicolás González can step in and make a difference.
