BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (AP) — James Rodriguez scored from the penalty spot and provided an assist to help Colombia beat reigning champion Argentina 2-1 in a South American World Cup qualifier.

Injured Argentine star Lionel Messi did not play in Barranquilla, the first match between the two teams since the Copa America final.

Yerson Mosquera opened the scoring in the 25th minute, but Argentina equalized in the 48th when Nico Gonzalez capitalized on a defensive blunder from the Colombians. Rodríguez’s penalty in the 60th minute, awarded after a video review, sealed the win at the Metropolitano Stadium.

World champions Argentina won the Copa America trophy after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Colombia in July.

Colombia, who have not beaten Argentina since 2019, remain unbeaten in South American World Cup qualifying.

Argentina lead the round-robin competition with 18 points from eight games, two points ahead of Colombia.

Also on Tuesday, Bolivia defeated Chile 2-1 in Santiago and Ecuador defeated Peru 1-0. Venezuela vs. Uruguay and Paraguay vs. Brazil remained to be played.

The top six teams in the South American qualifiers will automatically receive a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Colombia had the 33-year-old Rodríguez to thank again after he delivered a perfect cross that Mosquera was able to cut in to open the scoring, equalling Carlos Valderrama’s record of 11 assists in South American World Cup qualifying.

A mistake by Rodríguez allowed Argentina to equalise, with Nico González stealing the ball from him and firing past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

But Rodríguez made amends by beating Dibu Martínez, a prolific penalty stopper, to equal Falcao García’s record of 13 goals in World Cup qualifying.

Argentine strikers Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez were not as dangerous as they are now, while the experienced Messi created chances for them.

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