Messi, Argentina rebound to beat Colombia

Posted Wednesday, November 16, 2016 by ESPN

Messi, Argentina rebound to beat Colombia
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring from a free kick to give Argentina the lead against Colombia in a WC qualifier.

Lionel Messi and Argentina rebounded from last Thursday's 3-0 loss to Brazil, beating Colombia by the same scoreline to get their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

Messi opened the scoring for La Albiceleste in the 10th minute with a bending free kick that left Colombia's David Ospina no chance to make it 1-0.

And the hosts were at it again in the 23rd minute, Messi's whipped-in cross finding Gabriel Mercado, who flicked his headed attempt back across the goalmouth and in at the far post.

The extremely physical encounter continued throughout the second half, with both teams guilty of hard fouls and eight yellow cards handed out in all.

Colombia pushed hard for a goal, but it was Argentina who would strike again, Messi turning Colombia over in their defensive third, dribbling into the penalty area and finding Angel Di Maria at the far post for an easy smash into Ospina's net.

The win sees Argentina leapfrog Colombia in the qualification table.