World Cup qualifiers: Argentina pay penalty against Colombia, Paraguay beat Brazil

James Rodríguez spot-kick earns 2-1 win in Barranquilla

Colombia's midfielder James Rodriguez celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Colombia and Argentina. (Photo by JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Two South American powerhouses lost in World Cup qualifying in the absence of their biggest stars, with Lionel Messi missing Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Colombia and Neymar still on the sidelines for Brazil’s upset defeat in Paraguay.

James Rodríguez scored from the penalty spot and had an assist to help Colombia edge out the defending champions in Barranquilla, while Diego Gómez netted the winner for Paraguay in a 1-0 victory in Asunción. Both Argentina and Brazil struggled without their injured stars, with the replacements for Messi and Neymar unable to deliver away wins for their teams.