Santa Fe: Argentina failed to make up for their disappointing opening draw against Bolivia when they could only manage another stalemate against Colombia, compromising their bid to reach the Copa America quarter-finals.
Once again, despite on paper having an embarrassment of riches in an attack spearheaded by Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez the albiceleste managed to flunk what was their first ever competitive international in the northeastern city of Santa Fe.
The Brigadier Estanislao Lopez stadium is nicknamed Cementerio de los Elefantes (cemetery of the elephants) and unless Sergio Batista's side can pull out a radical improvement in their final Group A match against Costa Rica then their hopes of a record 15th Copa title will soon be buried.
Indeed, the hosts could have lost and would have had Dayro Moreno not missed a sitter on 25 minutes with the goal at his mercy following a mix-up in the Argentinian defence.
Colombia remain top of the group with four points having seen off the Costa Ricans in their opening match.
Bolivia play Costa Rica on Thursday.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, July 07, 2011, 09:04