Falcao tops Colombia squad vs Venezuela, Argentina

Falcao tops Colombia squad vs Venezuela, Argentina

Published Nov. 3, 2011 9:34 p.m. ET

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao headlines a list of 24 players called up to the Colombia squad for World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Argentina next week.

Colombia coach Leonel Alvarez has added striker Darwin Quintero, midfielder Diego Arias and defender Gerardo Vallejo to the squad that won 1-0 against Bolivia in La Paz in its opening qualifier, but injured Wigan forward Hugo Rodallega missed out.

Colombia plays Venezuela on Nov. 11 and Argentina four days later, both at home.

Stopping Lionel Messi, who has scored two successive hat tricks for his club Barcelona, will be Colombia's main worry against Argentina.

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''Lionel is the best player in the world,'' Alvarez said. ''For the three points in La Paz to be of use, it's very important we win at home.''

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Colombia:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Breiner Castillo (Independiente Medellin), Robinson Zapata (Deportivo Pereira).

Defenders: Mario Alberto Yepes (AC Milan), Luis Amaranto Perea (Atletico Madrid), Aquivaldo Mosquera (America), Pablo Armero (Udinese), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Lecce), Juan David Valencia (Atletico Junior), Alexis Henriquez (Once Caldas), Gerardo Vallejo (Deportes Tolima).

Midfielders: James Rodriguez, Freddy Guarin (Porto, Portugal), Carlos Sanchez (Valenciennes), Abel Aguilar (Hercules), Dorlan Pabon (Atletico Nacional), Diego Arias (PAOK Salonica), Cristian Marrugo (Deportes Tolima).

Forwards: Teofilo Gutierrez (Racing), Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid), Jackson Martinez (Jaguares), Dayro Moreno (Tijuana), Darwin Quintero (Santos Laguna).

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