James Rodriguez led Colombia to a 2-1 victory over Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, scoring a penalty that secured the win after Yerson Mosquera's opening goal. Despite an error that allowed Argentina to equalize through Nico Gonzalez, Rodriguez redeemed himself with a decisive penalty in the 60th minute following a VAR review. This victory places Colombia second in the South American qualifiers, just two points behind Argentina, who remain at the top. The match showcased Rodriguez's significant contribution, marking 10 goal involvements in his last eight international appearances. The win also avenged Colombia's recent Copa America final loss to Argentina, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two teams. Both teams faced challenging conditions, with the sweltering heat in Barranquilla affecting performance levels.