Colombia ‘s start to qualifying for the World Cup on Friday night was a serious injury to defender Santiago Arias.

Atletico Madrid’s right ankle points in the wrong direction following a strong challenge from Venezuela’s Darwin Machis.

Machis broke down in tears after the incident in the eighth minute. The opposition player was knocked to the ground in pain.

Venezuela’s Darwin Machis has been ruled out with a hamstring injury

Arias, who was loaned out by Bayer Leverkusen, could only hold on tight before the team members, including Everton’s James Rodriguez, arrived at the scene, shocked by the severity of the injury.

The 28-year-old remained on the pitch for six minutes for treatment before being removed from the pitch by the Colombian medical team.

Maxis was sent for a tackle but was later invalidated by the VAR.

Despite the early setbacks, Colombia won 3-0 at Barranquilla.

Machis pointed at his opponent as the ankle pointed in the wrong direction

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Arias was treated medically and stopped playing for eight minutes

Duan Zapata put the home side 1-0 up when he completed a delicious low cross from Juan Quadrado 16 minutes later.

Nine minutes later, his first shot from 10 meters was scored by his Atlanta teammate Louis Muriel.

Muriel, who completed a quick counterattack, got Colombia’s third just moments before the whistle.

In the second half, Colombia stepped off the pedal but Venezuela were unable to make any impact. Both sides could not add to the score line within 45 minutes.

Arias was put on a stretcher in the eighth minute following the incident