Argentina face Colombia for Matchday 8 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. La Albiceleste are aiming for another victory, after defeating Chile 3-0 in Buenos Aires. However, Paulo Dybala, who scored the third goal against La Roja with Lionel Messi’s No. 10 t-shirt, is starting on the bench this time.
The AS Roma striker also started on the bench in the match against Chile, but Scaloni decided to put him on the field at the 79th minute, replacing Alexis Mac Allister. Dybala thanked Scaloni with a great goal, after an assist from Alejandro Garnacho.
While Dybala isn’t the usual starter for Argentina, he usually delivers when it is his time to play. His commitment was rewarded when he inherited, at least during this international break, Messi’s No. 10 in Inter Miami’s star absence.
“I know it’s not my shirt, we all know it belongs to Leo. I tried to represent it in the best way possible. Some of the guys said I should wear it. I wasn’t sure if I should accept it, but it’s a very nice responsibility,” Dybala said after the game against Chile.
Paulo Dybala and Alejandro Garnacho of Argentina celebrate in the match against Chile (Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Messi is set to return to the national team for the next international break, which is scheduled for October 10th. The captain could play again with Inter Miami against Philadelphia Union on September 14.
Argentina’s line up against Colombia
The visitors line up included: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Nico Gonzalez; Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez.
Some of the changes, compared to the lineup against Chile, included the absence of Alexis Mac Allister and Nahuel Molina. However, Alvarez, who scored against Chile, and Martinez start again. Martinez has scored in his last three matches against Colombia.
