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

The hosts took some revenge for their Copa America final defeat to the Albiceleste in July with victory in Barranquilla, extending their unbeaten run in the 2026 qualifying campaign to eight games. Argentina remain top of the 10-team group but are now just two points ahead of Néstor Lorenzo’s team.

After Júlian Álvarez went close to beating the Argentines from a narrow angle early in the game, Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera opened the scoring in the 25th minute, leaping to the far post to head in James’ cross from a short corner.

Argentina, who went into this match with just two defeats in the last five years – and no away defeats in World Cup qualifying since 2017 – equalised in the 48th minute through Nico González. The Juventus forward seized on 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 was ruled out by VAR for bringing down Daniel Muñoz in the penalty area. James stepped up to tee up Emiliano Martínez to restore the home side’s lead. As Argentina pressed on, Colombia’s best late chance came when Martínez denied Aston Villa club-mate Jhon Durán.

Bolivia dealt Chile’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup a crushing blow as they ran out 2-1 victors in Santiago. The hosts’ fragile confidence was shattered when Carmelo Algarañaz turned home a Roberto Fernández pass after 13 minutes, before Chile controversially equalised just before half-time.

After Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe was injured while in possession of the ball, Eduardo Vargas tapped the ball into the empty net. The goal was awarded and a mass brawl ensued, with the Bolivian players demanding to score again, which Chile refused to oblige.

Lampe was replaced by Guillermo Viscarra and Bolivia regained the lead before half-time, Fernández again providing the lead while Miguelito finished in style. Chile remain second in the table with five points, while Bolivia climb to seventh after their first away win in World Cup qualifying since 1993.

Elsewhere, Ecuador boosted their automatic qualification chances with a 1-0 win over bottom-ranked Peru. Striker Enner Valencia scored the winning goal in Quito early in the second half, heading the ball into the net from a pinpoint cross from Alan Franco.

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

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