Copa America 2019: Argentina 0-2 Colombia - 5 Talking Points

Colombia pulled off a famous 2-0 win over Argentina in the opening match of Group B
Colombia pulled off a famous 2-0 win over Argentina in the opening match of Group B

#2 Ospina has a fantastic game, making several crucial saves

David Ospina had a fantastic game in goal for Colombia
David Ospina had a fantastic game in goal for Colombia

Former Arsenal custodian David Ospina proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with, pulling off 6 crucial saves to keep out the Argentine attack.

A superb parry from a 59th minute Leandro Paredes piledriver and an acrobatic stop from a Sergio Aguero header in the 66th minute were the standout saves of the night, with the 30-year-old showing that age hasn't dulled his reflexes.

The experienced Los Cafateros shot-stopper did superbly to keep out shots from Lionel Messi on two occasions and was superb in his positioning for all freekicks from Messi and Paredes


#1 Scaloni gets his substitutions completely wrong

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni failed to turn the tide of the game, with ineffective substitutions
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni failed to turn the tide of the game, with ineffective substitutions

Argentina's relatively inexperienced manager Lionel Scaloni, for whom the 2019 Copa America is his first major tournament as manager, failed to make any impact with baffling substitutions.

With Watford's electric winger Roberto Pereyra available on the bench, Scaloni threw in Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul instead after Angel Di Maria had to subbed off in the 46th minute after a lackluster outing.

But perhaps the most puzzling change was throwing in River Plate striker Matias Suarez, who is yet to register an international goal with Argentina, in the 71st minute as his third substitution of the match, with Albiceleste 1-0 down. Scaloni has better options in Juventus' Paulo Dybala and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez on the bench but inexplicably chose not to exercise them.

Quick Links