Even without prolific striker Radamel Falcao, Colombia start as favourites to qualify from World Cup Group C after finishing second in the South American qualifiers and taking decent results against Belgium and the Netherlands in friendlies.
Colombia's James Rodriguez needed only 45 minutes to dismantle Japan with one of the best individual performances of the World Cup, including a sublime dinked goal that Lionel Messi would have been proud of.
Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, who has been out all season with a knee injury, was included in Argentina's World Cup squad.
The 62-year-old former defender, who was also at the helm from 1991 to 1994, replaces Jose Pekerman.
Alfio Basile was appointed coach of Argentina for the second time.
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Argentina ended their practice shooting penalties but coach Jose Pekerman said they aim to win their quarter-final against Germany
Colombia striker Teofilo Gutierrez has been voted South America's footballer of the year and their Argentine coach Jose Pekerman the best coach for the third time in a row.
Heinze returned recently to action for Manchester United after seven months, following a knee surgery.
World Cup winner Diego Maradona said he had turned down an offer to work with the Argentine national team.
Inter Milan striker Julio Ricardo Cruz was recalled on Friday by Argentina for friendly internationals against England and Qatar next month.
Ronaldinho, who had a disappointing Club World Cup this month, has been elected South American footballer of the year in the annual poll conducted by the Uruguayan daily El Pais.
Four years ago in Brazil, Colombia romped to the quarter-finals for the first time on the back of four straight wins, salsa-dancing to celebrate their dozen goals and launching midfielder James Rodriguez on the road to global stardom.
The South Americans face Senegal in a decisive Group H clash in Samara on Thursday.
The AFA thanked 58-year-old Sampaoli and his assistants, who have also left their positions, for their services.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho also singled out Maguire, "normally a very honest guy...for diving in the box.
Allowing a lead to twice slip from their grasp in their last World Cup game could come back to haunt Senegal when they face Colombia in a decisive Group H clash in Samara on Thursday.
Boosted by 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez and top scorer Radamel Falcao, a confident Colombia will be looking to demolish low-ranked Japan on Tuesday before moving on to tougher Group H rivals Poland and Senegal.
Colombia will miss Rodriguez's creativity and ability on the ball if he misses their last-16 encounter after they laboured to breakdown Senegal before Yerry Mina's bullet header in the 74th minute sealed a dramatic win.
Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1 in Group H on Tuesday to become the first Asian side to beat a South American one at the World Cup.
England hold no fear for World Cup last 16 opponents Colombia, said the South American side's coach Jose Pekerman.
Colombia have been a mixed bag at the tournament.
Sampaoli looked morose after Argentina's heaviest defeat in a World Cup group stage since 1958 and appeared resigned to his side's fate.
The 26-year-old trained at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk on Monday but his state of fitness was still unclear.
Chelsea's Spanish striker Diego Costa was named along with usual suspects Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 23- man FIFA Ballon D'Or short-list released on Tuesday.
England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday after Eric Dier scored the decisive spot kick to send them through to a World Cup quarter-final against Sweden.
The South American possess plenty of talent and their run to the quarter-finals in Brazil four years ago showed they are capable of something England haven't managed in 12 years -- winning in the knockout stage.
German club Mainz 05 are ready to offload Gonzalo Jara after the Chile international whipped up a storm at the Copa America by sticking his finger up the backside of an opponent before falling to the floor theatrically when the player retaliated.
Brazil coach Dunga launched a stinging attack on referee Enrique Osses after the Chilean whistler sent Neymar off.
It all ended in tears as Argentina and Colombia went out in the round of 16, the latter on penalties, while Uruguay and Brazil both lost their quarter-finals on Friday, to France and Belgium respectively.
A Lionel Messi masterclass, netting a brilliant free kick before laying on two more goals, put Argentina's World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a resounding 3-0 win over Colombia in San Juan on Tuesday.
Striker Marcus Rashford scored a second-half winner as a young and much-changed England avoided an unprecedented fourth successive defeat by beating Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly on Tuesday.
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