Argentina hope to win in humid Colombia

Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi is challenged by Willian, of Brazil, during last weekend’s qualifier.

Javier Mascherano could miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Colombia and next Saturday’s El Clasico, according to a report.

They stand second-bottom of the 10-team South American group, seven points behind leaders Ecuador who have nine.

The Real Madrid superstar scored a superb goal against Chile to rescue a point for his team, and the Los Cafeteros’ skipper has warned of Argentina’s threat despite the absence of Lionel Messi, among other key attacking players. Colombia meanwhile are without Radamel Falcao but that might perhaps be a blessing given his recent showings for both club and country.

“Colombia away is not going to be same game as Brazil”, he added.

However, Pekerman said you cannot underestimate the Albiceleste, who are coming off a 1-1 draw with Brazil in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

“Everyone wants to play against Argentina, it’s match that motivates”, he said.

“It will be a tough match, and they showed that against Brazil – without Messi, Aguero, Tevez or Pastore it was an even match”.

The visitors will also have to contend with the heat, which can top 30 deg C and which Colombia try to benefit from by staging the match in mid-afternoon. “And so that’s the aspiration, that at the end of the day tomorrow we can be content with the performance of the team as well as the result”, the coach said shortly after arriving in the coastal city, where his team will take on the host side on Tuesday.

Unbeaten Chile face Uruguay in Montevideo for the first time since June’s Copa America quarter-final in Santiago when Edinson Cavani was sent off for striking at Gonzalo Jara after the Chile defender stuck his finger up the forward’s backside.

Argentina last struggled in the opening qualifying rounds of 2014’s tournament, but were able to turn their fortunes around on Colombia’s home soil with a 2-1 victory and catapulted back into contention.