James Rodríguez converted a penalty to give Colombia a 2-1 win over Argentina in their South American World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

A win in Barranquilla allowed the hosts to avenge their Copa América final defeat to the Albiceleste in July and extend their unbeaten run in the 2026 qualifying round to eight games. Argentina remain top of the ten-team group, but are now just two points ahead of Néstor Lorenzo’s side.

After Júlian Álvarez had a good opportunity for Argentina from a tight angle early on, Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he rose at the far post and headed in James’ cross from a short corner.

Argentina, who have suffered only two defeats in the last five years – and have not lost away in World Cup qualifying since 2017 – equalised in the 48th minute through Nico González. The Juventus striker took advantage of a poor defensive pass, ran past Mosquera and slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.

Colombia hit back on the hour mark after Nicolás Otamendi brought down Daniel Muñoz in the box, according to VAR. James stepped up and beat Emiliano Martínez to restore the hosts’ lead. As Argentina pushed forward, Colombia had their best chance in the last minute when Martínez denied his Aston Villa clubmate Jhon Durán.

Bolivia Chile’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup were dealt a major blow with a 2-1 win in Santiago. The hosts’ fragile confidence was shaken when Carmelo Algarañaz hammered home a Roberto Fernández pass after 13 minutes, before Chile controversially equalised just before half-time.

After Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe fell to the ground injured after touching the ball, Eduardo Vargas pushed the ball into the empty net. The goal was awarded and a mass scuffle ensued, with the Bolivian players demanding to be allowed to score again, but Chile refused.

Lampe was replaced by Guillermo Viscarra and Bolivia took the lead again before half-time. Fernández again provided the assist and Miguelito finished brilliantly. Chile remain second to last in the table with five points, while Bolivia climbed to seventh place after their first away win in World Cup qualifying since 1993.

Elsewhere, Ecuador boosted its hopes of direct qualification with a 1-0 win over weaker Peru. Striker Enner Valencia scored the decisive goal in Quito early in the second half, heading the ball into the net after a precise pass from Alan Franco.

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

Paraguay will host Brazil, currently in fifth place, in the final match of this round of Conmebol qualifying, which will take place later on Tuesday in Asunción.