Celebrate Every Goal? What Goals? The heat is on for Messi and Co. tonight in Colombia.

When the Seleccion Argentina takes the field tonight for a 2014 World Cup Qualifying match against Colombia, the only thing more uncomfortable than the 100-degree temperatures in Barranquilla will be the heat they are feeling here at home.

2011 has been a year of unmet expectations and surprise upsets for the National Team. Argentina hosted the Copa America in July, but the team scored only one goal in the first two games. Giant Coca-Cola billboards around the country encouraging fans to “Celebrate Every Goal” seemed a tad optimistic. The team finally managed two goals against Costa Rica before being eliminated by eventual winner Uruguay in the Quarterfinals.

The World Cup Qualifiers have not been much easier to watch. Only five goals scored in three games, a 1-0 loss to Venezuela, and a disappointing 1-1 tie against Bolivia last Friday. New coach Alejandro Sabella’s CV is a mediocre 3-2-2 in the seven games he has coached since August 6. Not helping matters is the lackluster production of the world’s greatest soccer player whenever he trades his Barcelona jersey for the blue and white stripes.

Messi has already described tonight’s match as a must-win, a sentiment shared by Argentina fans and corporate sponsors alike. Far from optimistic about tonight’s match, La Nacion’s Santiago Peluffo says Sabella seems to be a coach still in search of a team, while commentator Horario Pagani says the oppressive heat in Barranquilla “is tremendous.” Another loss tonight and it only gets hotter. (Full Story in Spanish)

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