Colombia narrowly missed out on a World Cup qualification, finishing a point behind Peru for an inter-continental playoff berth, while Guatemalans failed to make it beyond the opening round of CONCACAF qualification.
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Colombia will play Guatemala in an international friendly at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Saturday. The South American outfit narrowly missed out on a World Cup qualification, finishing a point behind Peru for an inter-continental playoff berth, while Guatemalans failed to make it beyond the opening round of CONCACAF qualification. Both sides were last in action in June, with Colombia securing a narrow 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in a friendly, while the Chapines beat Dominican Republic 2-0 in a CONCACAF Nations League match.
¡Hoy regresa nuestra Selección Colombia de Mayores!
🆚 🇬🇹
🗓 Sábado 24 de septiembre
🕠 7:00 p.m. (Hora COL)
🏆 Partido amistoso Fecha FIFA
🏟 Red Bull Arena
📺 @GolCaracol#TodosSomosColombia 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/Q29iPoVogD— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) September 24, 2022
Colombia managed to secure only a sixth-place finish in the South American qualification group, consisting of 10 teams. Los Cafeteros recorded five wins and eight draws from 18 games to collect 23 points. The top-four teams earn a direct spot in the group stages of the global event, while the fifth-placed nation go through to the intercontinental playoff. Columbia finished their qualification campaign with two successive wins against Bolivia (3-0) and Venezuela (1-0).
Guatemala, on the other hand, were eliminated in the group stages of the 2022 CONCACAF qualifying. Meanwhile the North American outfit are heading into the match on the back of two wins from their last three Nations League games. In their last outing against Dominican Republic, the Blue Fury netted two times courtesy of a brace from Rubio Rubin. Meanwhile the Chapines have managed to keep five clean sheets in their eight games this year., including holding the Mexicans to a 0-0 draw back in April.
Read more: Israel vs Albania: Nations League Live Stream, Schedule, Fixture and Probable Lineups
Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo has named a strong squad for the upcoming two friendlies. Colombia record goal-scorer Radamel Falcao is likely to lead the line with Liverpool-man Diaz and World Cup 2014 golden boot winner James Rodriguez in support. As for Guatemala, last game’s double-goal scorer Rubin is expected to spearhead the attack alongside Martinez.
Colombia probable starting lineup: Ospina, Fabra, Sanchez, Cuesta, Munoz, Cuadrado, Moreno, Uribe, Rodriguez, Falcao, Diaz
Guatemala probable starting lineup: Jerez, Morales, Mejia, Gordillo, Castellanos, Pinto, Galindo, Barrientos, Saravia, Martinez, Rubin
The international friendly match between Colombia and Guatemala will take place at Red Bull Arena on Sunday at 5:30 am IST.
| Colombia vs Guatemala | Key details |
| Date | September 24 (USA) |
| Venue | Red Bull Arena, USA |
| Kickoff time in USA | 8:00 pm (Saturday) |
| Kickoff time in Colombia | 7:00 pm (Saturday) |
| Kickoff time in Guatemala | 6:00 pm (Saturday) |
For the football fans in Colombia, live telecast of the match will be available on DIRECTV Sports app, Caracol TV and Caracol Play. Meanwhile, those in Guatemala can catch the live action via Tigo Sports Guatemala; and FITE in the USA.
