Colombia vs. Argentina: Preview, Predictions, Odds, and Best Bets for CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Clash

The South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have advanced to the eighth round, with all attention focused on Barranquilla for an anticipated showdown between Colombia and Argentina in a rematch of the thrilling Copa America final.

The winners of the past two continental tournaments and the reigning world champions are the dominant leaders of this qualifying section, with 18 points from seven games. Their opponents are the only remaining unbeaten side in the CONMEBOL qualifying pool, with three wins and four draws from seven matches.

BET NOW:Latest odds for World Cup qualifying games and best bets for the Colombia vs. Argentina match on BetMGM

Colombia will look to get back to winning ways after rescuing a draw against Peru, while Argentina, still without the injured Lionel Messi, are hoping to extend the excellent form that most recently saw them ease to a 3-0 win over Chile.

MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States

Colombia vs. Argentina prediction, oddsMoneyline lean: Draw (+188)Score prediction: Colombia 1-1 Argentina

Colombia are truly a tough opponent — you only need to remember how hard-fought the Copa America final was to realise that. It's also true that the heat of the late afternoon in Barranquilla will be another challenge.

However, Argentina are enjoying a real period of excellence. We're talking about a team who have lost just two of their past 64 matches, and one who have lost only one of their previous 13 meetings with Los Cafeteros. Their most recent three visits to Colombian territory have yielded two wins and a draw.

It feels like Colombia will be a tough nut to crack, but it's hard to back an Argentina defeat to any opposition right now. The odds of a draw look very favorable.

 BetMGM
(USA)Colombia win+185Draw+188Argentina win+165Both teams
to scoreY: +115
N: -165Over / Under
2.5 goalsO: +160
U: -225Colombia
+0.5 goals-225Argentina
-0.5 goals+155Colombia vs. Argentina match factsDate: Tuesday, Sep. 10, 2024Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. local (4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 9.m. PT)Location: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez (Barranquilla, Colombia)Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)Last meeting: Argentina 1-0 Colombia AET (Jul. 14, 2024 | Copa America 2024 final)Colombia vs. Argentina best betPick: Under 2.5 total goalsOdds: -225 (BetMGM)

These are two strong teams who will not easily give up opportunities. We should expect a very close game, as we saw in the Copa America final, when it needed an extra-time goal from Lautaro Martinez to settle the contest.

Argentina have become a true defensive powerhouse, conceding only two goals in their seven World Cup 2026 qualifiers, both of which came in their only defeat (against Uruguay). Colombia have only shipped four goals themselves, but they're not exactly prolific at the other end, scoring only seven times in seven games. Although Lionel Scaloni's team are coming off a 3-0 win over Chile, two of those goals came very close to fulltime, so backing a low-scoring contest feels like the safe play.

betmgm_colored

GET IN ON THE ACTION! SIGN UP TO THE KING OF SPORTSBOOKS NOW

PLAY NOW

Colombia vs. Argentina prop bet

Pick: Julian Alvarez to score any timeOdds: +250 (BetMGM)

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez struck against Chile and is likely to partner Lautaro Martinez in attack once more due to Messi's absence.

Colombia will be wary of Martinez after he scored the only goal of the Copa America final, but keeping both Albiceleste forwards quiet will be a challenge. Alvarez has been the man in better form in this international break and has slightly better odds to score any time in this one.