Former Actual Madrid and Everton midfielder James Rodriguez was the hero for Colombia because the 33-year-old scored the winner from the penalty spot to down the reigning world champions, who had been with out Lionel Messi.
It was revenge for Colombia who misplaced to Argentina within the Copa America remaining two months in the past.
Rodriguez, now at La Liga facet Rayo Vallecano, crossed for Wolves’ Yerson Mosquera to attain the opener with a header within the twenty fifth minute in Barranquilla.
Nicolas Gonzalez levelled for Argentina three minutes after the break however Nicolas Otamendi then fouled Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and a penalty was given after a video assistant referee overview.
Captain Rodriguez despatched Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez the unsuitable means from the spot to attain the Sixtieth-minute winner.
“I don’t assume I’ve ever scored towards them – there’s a primary time for the whole lot,” mentioned Rodriguez.
“We wish to get used to enjoying finals. At present was simply one other sport, however towards a group that has received the whole lot – this victory tastes even higher.”
Elsewhere, midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who joined Manchester United final month from Paris St-Germain, began for Uruguay of their 0-0 draw at Venezuela.
Argentina stay high of the 10-team desk by two factors from second-placed Colombia.
The highest six groups mechanically qualify after 18 rounds of fixtures, which stick with it till September 2025. The seventh-placed facet go into an intercontinental play-off towards a group from one other confederation.
In Asia’s World Cup qualifiers, Australia had been held to a 0-0 draw at Indonesia on Tuesday, having misplaced 1-0 at house to Bahrain of their opening match final Thursday.
Japan, additionally in Australia’s group, had been 5-0 winners away to Bahrain as Premier League trio Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) and Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) all began for Japan.
South Korea recorded their first win in World Cup 2026 qualifying, beating Oman 3-1 with Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and Wolves ahead Hwang Hee-chan on track.