Colombia without Falcao for vital World Cup qualifiers

Radamel Falcao will miss Colombia's World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay after picking up an injury during the weekend's LaLiga action, the national football federation confirmed on Monday.

The Colombian federation said that the 35-year-old sustained the injury during Rayo Vallecano's LaLiga game against Real Madrid last Saturday. Falcao came on as a second half sub at the Bernabéu and pulled a goal back for the visitors but had to leave the field just moments later after sustaining a muscle injury.

Falcao could be sidelines for a month

"Radamel Falcao suffered a tear in his right thigh adductor muscle," Rayo Vallecano said in an official club statement, adding he would be out of action for between three to four weeks.

Colombia are fourth in the South American CONMEBOL standings, occupying the last qualifying spot for next year's World Cup finals in Qatar on 16 points - the same as Uruguay. They face Brazil in São Paulo on Friday then welcome Paraguay to Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla on Tuesday.