Football
ESPN staff 7y

Lionel Messi unstoppable for Argentina - Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina

Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina has said there is no way to contain Argentina's Lionel Messi, but that his team must to try to do so.

Argentina host Colombia in a World Cup qualifier at the Estadio del Bicentenario San Juan on Tuesday needing three points to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia alive.

The last time Colombia won in Argentina was in 1993, when they triumphed 5-0. Since then, they have played a total of 11 games with just one victory compared to seven for Argentina.

"There is no way to stop Messi," Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina said at a news conference. "We know who he is, how important he is for Argentina and the level of player that he is."

However, the 28-year-old warned that Argentina were about more than just the Barcelona star.

"We will be trying to play our game," he said. "We are playing against the entire Argentina squad, not just Messi. He is surrounded by players of great quality, so we must be careful of everyone."

Ospina, who made an incredible save from a Messi shot in the 2015 Copa America quarterfinal only for Colombia to lose 5-4 on penalties, added: "We know what type of players they have, some of the best in the world. Playing them always makes for a complicated match."

Argentina are sixth in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, two points behind Colombia, and Ospina warned that the recent 3-0 loss to Brazil would make them an even more difficult opponent. 

"Argentina have great players. No matter which ones they play they will be competitive so we will have to be ready for them," he added. "Our defence must have attitude against the Argentina attack.

"And in the front we have players who can score goals at any moment and give us the advantage. For us it is important to finish well. We are facing a great rival and we must play in such a way that we are calm and do things well."

Commenting on the fact that five teams are separated by just three points in the CONMEBOL standings, Ospina said: "It is going to be very close right down to the end."

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