We take a look back at a trio of the most memorable meetings between La Albiceleste and Los Cafeteros ahead of their quarter-final battle
An old rivalry resumes on Friday as Argentina prepare to take onColombia in third quarter-final at Copa América 2015.
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Two of the pre-tournament favourites go head-to-head at Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar, though neither have quite been able to live up to that billing so far in Chile.
La Albiceleste, on the hunt for their first senior international title since 1993, came through Group B top of the pile without really shining, while Colombia scraped through as one of the best third-placed sides following Brazil’s win against Venezuela in the final first-phase fixture.
It is a clash with plenty of history, and we have recounted three iconic encounters from past years.
Argentina 0-0 Colombia (6-5 on penalties) | Copa América 1993 | Guayaquil
In a year when both countries had one of their strongest generations, La Albiceleste and Los Cafeteros actually went up against one another twice having been drawn in the same group.
A 1-1 draw at the Estadio George Capwell – with Diego Simeone breaking the deadlock inside two minutes before Freddy Rincón equalised three minutes later – ensured both sides progressed from Group C on four points, though Colombia took top spot by virtue of having scored more goals in the process.
Yet a match of far greater significance took place when they met in the semi-final at the Estadio Monumental in the same city. Defending champions Argentina were just two games away from defending their crown, though the highest-scoring player in the previous edition – Gabriel Batistuta – was unable to find the net in a goalless draw with Colombia.
A penalty shootout beckoned, and Argentina were unerring from the spot. With the score level at 5-5 Sergio Goycochea denied VÃctor Aristizábal from 12 yards and Jorge Borelli subsequently sent Carlos Valderrama and Co. crashing out of the competition with the winning spot-kick.
La Albiceleste edged past Mexico in the final to earn their 14th title, making them the most successful side in the Copa América at that point. However, Argentina have since failed to win the trophy again in a 22-year barren run in all competitions and have been overtaken by Uruguay, who won their 15th crown in 2011.
Argentina 0-5 Colombia | World Cup 1994 qualifier | Buenos Aires
Los Cafeteros got some revenge for that Copa América defeat less than three months later when the pair went head-to-head during qualifying for the World Cup.
In what is one of the greatest results in the country’s history, a formidable Colombia side ran riot in the Argentine capital. The pair were level on seven points as they faced of in their final Group 1 outing, with the winner securing a place at the competition in USA while the losers faced an intercontinental play-off for their spot.
Argentina came flying out the blocks, making Los Cafeteros nervous and leading to some early-game jitters. They rode the storm and, after Freddy Rincón showed phenomemal pace to get beyond his marker, round the keeper and slot home in the 41st minute, they never looked back.
Faustino Aspirlla doubled their lead five minutes after the interval and soon after Rincón and the former Newcastle United man both added to their tallies within a minute of one another to put the game beyond doubt.
Adolfo “El Tren” Valencia provided the glossy finish five minutes from time in a win that Colombia only bettered earlier this year when they beat Bahrain in a friendly by six goals.
Argentina 0-3 Colombia | Copa América 1999 | Luque
A match that went down in the history books, but for all the wrong reasons for one Albiceleste star in particular.
With Gabriel Batistuta and Hernán Crespo both asking to be rested during the competition, MartÃn Palermo lead the line for Argentina. Rather than take the opportunity to shine, though, the former Boca Juniors man ensured his place in the record books by missing three penalties in a single game.
With just five minutes on the clock his first spot-kick hit the bar, and Iván Córdoba showed him how it was done in the 10th minute by firing home from 12 yards. In the second half, Palermo had the chance to pull his team level when La Albiceleste were awarded another penalty, but this time he blazed it over the top.
Javier Zanetti was sent off in the 69th minute and things got worse for Argentina, with Edwin Congo and Johnnier Montaño adding a couple of delightful goals for Los Cafeteros shortly after.
Palermo had an opportunity for a consolation strike in the dying moments, but his third attempt from the penalty spot was kept out by a save from Miguel Calero – a feat that no one has since repeated.
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