World champions Argentina suffered their second defeat in CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with a James Rodríguez penalty condemning them to a 2-1 loss to Colombia on Tuesday.
The victory was sweet revenge for a Colombia team who had lost to Argentina in July's final of the Copa América.
Colombia, backed by a passionate crowd at the Metropolitano Stadium, took the lead in the 25th minute when, from a short corner, Rodríguez chipped a cross to the back post where Yerson Mosquera rose to head home.
With Rodríguez prompting in midfield and Luis Díaz a threat with his pace down the flanks, Colombia were well on top in the opening half against a sluggish Argentina, without the injured Lionel Messi.
But three minutes after the interval, the visitors drew level when a misplaced pass from Rodríguez was pounced upon by Nicolás González, who raced away, held off Mosquera and slotted past the advancing Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.
Twelve minutes later, though, Colombia restored their lead in controversial fashion.
Daniel Muñoz went down after a lunging challenge from Nicolás Otamendi and after several minutes, the referee was sent to the VAR monitor and awarded a penalty.
James stepped up to the spot, against penalty specialist Emiliano Martínez and confidently slotted home, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Colombia striker Jhon Duran missed a great chance to make it 3-1 when he was found unmarked in the centre of the box but fired straight at Martínez.
South American World Cup qualifiers
Eighth round of fixtures
Colombia 2 Argentina 1
Stadium: Metropolitano (Barranquilla)
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
Goles: Colombia – Mosquera (25th minute), Rodríguez (60, penalty); Argentina – González (48).
Bookings: Colombia – Durán (79), Vargas (90); Argentina – Montiel (21)
Line-ups:
Colombia: Camilo Vargas - Daniel Muñoz, Yerson Mosquera (J Cabal 88), Jhon Lucumí, Johan Mojica - Richard Ríos, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Arias (Kevin Castaño 79) - James Rodríguez (captain) (Juan Camilo Portilla 90+3), Jhon Durán (Jhon Córdoba 79), Luis Díaz. Coach: Néstor Lorenzo.
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez - Gonzalo Montiel (Nahuel Molina 46), Nicolás Otamendi (cap), Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez (Marcos Acuña 64) - Rodrigo De Paul (Giovani Lo Celso 74), Leandro Paredes (Alexis Mac Allister 64), Enzo Fernández (Paulo Dybala 85), Nicolás González - Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
– TIMES/AFP
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