Lautaro Martinez goal gives Argentina 1-0 win over Colombia in World Cup qualifying

Argentina extended their unbeaten run to 29 matches after beating Toothless Colombia 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Lautaro Martínez got the only goal of a messy game after 29 minutes when he took advantage of a slack defending rifle home from inside the penalty area.

The top four teams in the South American category automatically qualify for Qatar, and the fifth-placed team advances to the playoffs along with a team from the Asian Confederation.

Brazil and Argentina have already qualified and Ecuador's 24 points means they are almost certain to join them.

The result leaves Colombia in seventh place on the 10-team table with 17 points, five points behind Uruguay, two behind Chile and three points behind Peru, who further strengthened their position with a win over Ecuador later on Tuesday. can strengthen.

The match brought together a home team that had not lost a goal in their last four home matches and a Colombian team that had not scored in their last six qualifiers.

Both runs were extended in a game that the Argentines never controlled, like they were in top gear.

"It doesn't matter who plays nothing," said winger Angel Di Maria. "We stay the same, with the same mindset."

"We show sacrifice and humility. Today we knew we were going to face a tough game and we were able to do what we had to do and move on."

The home side were without Lionel Messi, who was recently rested after a bout with COVID-19 and influential midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, but Martínez and Di Maria assumed responsibility and the attacking board.

"A lot was said about the players who were missing that we were not at full strength," said goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. "But we showed that we are a really strong group, not 11."

Di María was a threat during his long-range shoots, and caused problems for Colombia's second-string keeper Camilo Vargas.

Colombia's best opportunity came in the stoppage time of the first half when Luis Diaz hit a shot off the line.

In the first games of the night, Chile beat Bolivia 3–2 and Uruguay registered a 4–1 win over Venezuela in Montevideo.

On Tuesday, Brazil will face Paraguay and Peru will face Ecuador.