Colombia stay unbeaten in World Cup qualifying as Argentina pay penalty

James Rodríguez scored from the penalty spot to earn Colombia a 2-1 win over Argentina in their South American World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

The hosts gained some revenge for their Copa América final defeat to the Albiceleste in July with victory in Barranquilla, and extended their unbeaten run in the 2026 qualifying campaign to eight games. Argentina stay top of the 10-team group, but are now just two points clear of Néstor Lorenzo’s side.

After Júlian Álvarez went close from a narrow angle for Argentina early on, the Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera opened the scoring in the 25th minute, rising at the back post to head home James’ cross from a short corner routine.

Argentina, who came into this game with only two defeats in the last five years – and no away losses in World Cup qualifying sine 2017 – levelled in the 48th minute through Nico González. The Juventus attacker seized on a poor defensive pass, ran beyond Mosquera and tucked the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper.

Colombia hit back on the hour mark after Nicolás Otamendi was ruled by VAR to have brought down Daniel Muñoz in the penalty area. James stepped up and got the better of Emiliano Martínez to restore the hosts’ lead. As Argentina pushed forward, the best late chance fell to Colombia with Martínez foiling Aston Villa clubmate Jhon Durán.

Bolivia dealt a hammer blow to Chile’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup as they won 2-1 in Santiago. The hosts’ fragile confidence was shattered when Carmelo Algarañaz smashed home from Roberto Fernández’s cutback after 13 minutes, before Chile levelled just before half-time in controversial fashion.

After the Bolivia keeper, Carlos Lampe, went down with an injury while on the ball, Eduardo Vargas tapped the ball into the empty net. The goal was awarded and a mass skirmish ensued, with Bolivia players demanding they be allowed to score again, and Chile refusing to comply.

Lampe was replaced by Guillermo Viscarra and Bolivia retook the lead before the half-time whistle blew, Fernández again the provider as Miguelito finished in style. Chile stay second bottom of the table with five points, while Bolivia climb to seventh place after their first away World Cup qualifying victory since 1993.

Elsewhere, Ecuador boosted their automatic qualification hopes with a 1-0 win over lowly Peru. Striker Enner Valencia scored the winning goal in Quito early in the second half, heading into the net from Alan Franco’s pinpoint delivery.

Ecuador are fourth in the table with 11 points with Uruguay, who drew 0-0 with Venezuela, in third place with 15 points, one behind Colombia. Marcelo Bielsa’s side suffered their second stalemate in succession on Tuesday after a goalless draw at home to Paraguay last week.

Paraguay host Brazil, who are currently fifth in the table, in the final game of this round of Conmebol qualifying, which takes place later on Tuesday in Asunción.