Luis Diaz celebrates after scoring for Colombia during the FIFA World Cup South American qualifier in Argentina on June 10 2025
Luis Diaz celebrates after scoring for Colombia during the FIFA World Cup South American qualifier in Argentina on June 10 2025
(Image: ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP via Getty Images)
Luis Diaz scored a wonder goal but the Liverpool winger was ultimately left frustrated on a busy evening of international football. Diaz cut in off the left wing and into the box beyond three defenders before finishing confidently to give Colombia a 24th-minute lead in their World Cup qualifier in Argentina on Tuesday evening.
But the visitors were pegged back late on in a 1-1 draw despite Argentina - for whom Alexis Mac Allister has not been considered this round of qualifiers as he recovers from a minor injury - having Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez sent off for a high boot.
"We're really angry and frustrated with the result," said Diaz. "We played a good game, it was almost excellent, and we're leaving frustrated.
“We had to come here looking for a result; we knew we could pull off a surprise here. We had good football and great players, but we have to keep improving our mentality.
“We have to keep fine-tuning those little details, which are more important than the actual football itself."
The result means Colombia still need one victory from their final two qualifiers in September to ensure automatic qualification for the World Cup.
In contrast, Alisson Becker helped Brazil make it through to the tournament in the United States next year by keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 home win over Paraguay.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk was on target as Holland thrashed Malta 8-0 in their latest World Cup qualifier at his former club Groningen, with Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch substituted at half-time and new signing Jeremie Frimpong unused on the bench.
"I said it yesterday in the treatment room that it has been a while since I scored, and that I have now done so here is really nice," said van Dijk afterwards.
"I've played a lot of matches. It's time for some rest now, then we'll start again in four weeks."
While speaking about playing alongside Frenkie de Jong and new Manchester City signing Tijjani Reijnders in the Holland midfield, Gravenberch also hinted at a possible change at Liverpool next season.
"Frenkie and Tijjani are great players," he said. "We understand each other well and help each other in midfield. At Liverpool, I have a slightly more controlling role, but I hope that next season I can secretly attack a bit more.
"I am happy that I finally have a holiday, because it was a long season. It was also my best season so far, at the highest level, and I am super proud of that."
Wataru Endo played the full 90 minutes as an already-qualified Japan thumped Indonesia 6-0 at home in their final qualifying match.
A number of Liverpool players were in friendly action across Europe. Dominik Szoboszlai scored as Hungary won 2-1 in Azerbaijan, Conor Bradley helped 10-man Northern Ireland beat Iceland 1-0 at home, Kostas Tsimikas starred as Greece thumped Bulgaria 4-0 in Crete while Curtis Jones came off the bench but couldn't prevent a dreadful England losing 3-1 to Senegal at Nottingham Forest.