Everton midfielder James Rodriguez was worrying wasteful in possession as Colombia held Chile to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night.

The 29-year-old started the game at the Estadio Nacional de Chile as Colombia sought to build on their 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Venezuela, but goals from Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez ensured Carlos Queiroz’s men dropped to two points behind CONMEBOL group leaders Brazil and Argentina.

Jefferson Lerma had opened the scoring for Colombia with a header in the seventh minute following a cross from Stefan Medina, but they looked set to taste defeat until Radamel Falcao unleashed a right-footed effort into the back of the net in the first minute of second-half stoppage-time.

Rodriguez had little impact on proceedings at the top of the field during his 90 minutes against Chile, with SofaScore data showing the Toffees’ sensational summer signing as failing to record a single key pass and only directing one shot on target.

The former Galactico rarely entered the Chile penalty area, either, with a predominant number of his 69 touches coming just inside the host’s half and retreating into Colombia territory more often than he visited Brayan Cortes’ box.

When Rodriguez did push forward, he barely connected with his teammates, either, with the £31.5m-rated star only picking out a Colombia player with two of his eight attempted crosses, while losing five of his seven ground duels and losing possession 21 times.

No Colombia player who started lost possession more often than Rodriguez, with left-back Johan Mojica (21) and central midfielder Juan Cuadrado (19) the nearest players to have turned over the ball as much for the visitors.

Rodriguez further gifted possession to Chile with nine of his 43 attempted passes failing to fall to the correct player and losing his only attempted dribble of the night, though picked out a teammate with each of his four long balls.

Unfortunately, the top scorer from the 2014 World Cup rarely aided Colombia defensively against Chile, as well, with Rodriguez managing just one successful interception to the three fouls committed.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that Rodriguez leaves his shaky performances in South America before flying back to England for this Saturday’s Merseyside Derby, having trusted the 29-year-old to start each of the Toffees’ four Premier League fixtures to date.

Ancelotti will also be hoping for good news on Yerry Mina, after the defender sat out Colombia’s draw with Chile as a precaution after feeling discomfort in his right thigh in training.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti can look to exploit an “incredible talent” when Everton host Liverpool this Saturday.