Argentina 1-0 Colombia summary: score, goals, highlights, WC 2022 qualifying

The FT whistle sounds and Argentina claim maximum points and Colombia's dream of heading to Qatar hang by a thread.

Dybala drives the free-kick and the ball goes inches over the bar.

Dangerous free for Argentine outside the Colombia box. It's been a very, very poor performance from Colombia.

Colombia almost equalise as Mojica clips the ball into the danger zone and Lisandro Martínez drives the ball into his keepers arms. The flag was up against the Colmbia player so nothing would have counted should the ball have crossed the line.

4 minutes of time to be added.

Buendia clipped by Sanchez and the Spurs man is carded

Two minutes of normal time remain.

Two discreet performances from Luis Diaz is has to be said with the new Liverpool player never really getting to grips with either Friday's game or tonight in Cordoba.

Cuadrado corner gets a flick-on from Tesillo and the ball drifts close to the Argentina goal. Best chance of the second half from the side in yellow.

Sanchez fouls Nico Gonzalez and Argentina win a free in a very dangerous area....Meza strikes and the ball is deflected behind for a corner kick.

Just ten minutes left for Colombia to salvage something from this contest.

Buendia and Quarta enter the fray for Argentina. Lo Celso and Papu the players making way.

Luis Suarez picks up Colombia's first card of the night

Another throw of the dice from Colombia as Borja makes way for Falcao. Cuellar on for Barrios.

Acuña strikes and the ball ricochets off Sanchez for another Argentine corner.

FT in the game between Uruguay and Venezuela with a 4-1 to La Celeste who currently occupy the key fourth place in the group that ensures automatic qualification to the 2022 World Cup.

20 minutes left for Colombia to react..... from what we've seen in the contest so far, that looks like being a tall order.

Double switch for Argentina: Di Maria leaves the pitch to a warm ovation and Nico Gonzalez takes his place. Dybala on for Lautaro

Change for Colombia as Valoyes comes on for Medina.

Di Maria once again and the ball is majestically saved by Vargas in the Colombia goal. The PSG man is playing with an incredible level of confidence.

Argentina have been excellent at giving the visitors no time on the ball, suffocating the men in yellow any time the get the ball in  a dangerous position.

Free for Argentina and the PSG man goes for goal from a long way out. Vargas is alert and deflects the ball away for a corner.

Angel Di Maria has also been excellent for Argentine tonight. Chants of 'Fideo, Fideo' ring out from the home fans.

Montiel picks up the second yellow of the night.

Double switch for Colombia: James off for Luis Suarez. Uribe off too for Cantillo.

Argentina change: Ocampos off and Meza replaces the Sevilla man

Change imminent for Argentina....

Lisandro Martínez helps the Colombian striker to his feed and we're back underway.

Borja goes to ground and seems to have been clipped in the face.

Striker Borja for Colombia needs assistance and cuts a lone figure, surely it must be time for Rueda to look at the bench.

Sanchez fouls Lautaro and more danger for the visitors with the kick being deep inside the Colombia half. The ball falls to Acuña but his effort is easy for Vargas in the Colombia goal.

All set for the second half as Colombia start the action.

Colombia need a re-boot if they are to get anything from tonight's game. Outplayed and outclassed in the first 45' of action in Cordoba in a game they really can ill afford to lose.

The whistle sounds and it's Argentine who head in at the break with a 1-0 lead. The home side very much on top with just that final minute scare from Diaz the only chance for the visitors. Lautaro with the only goal of the night just before the half hour mark.

Colombia have their best chance of the night and Emiliano Martínez is called upon to save twice from close range in the final minute of the half.

Acuña fouls Cuadrado and gets the first card of the night

Colombia stats after 44 mins. Shots off target 0, shots on target 0

Things are not looking good for Reinaldo Rueda's side!

Colombia really have no answer for Argentina's fast and incisive play. Emiliano Martínez in the Argentina goal has been a virtual spectator for the bulk of the half.

New Villarreal signing Lo Celso has looked impressive tonight. The 25-year-old failed to impress with North London's Tottenham and will be hoping for better fortune at his new LaLiga club.

Di Maria over the ball... the PSG man forces Vargas to save well from a fine strike. The ball did take a deflection on it's way towards goal.

Lo Celso is clipped right on the edge of their own box and will have to defend a dangerous freekick.

A clash of heads sees Colombia's Borja needs medical attention. The Junior striker seems okay to carry on and we're back in action.

Uruguay currently 3-0 up at home to Venezuela and on track to secure maximum points. A result that further complicates matter for 'La Tricolor' of Colombia.

Argentina's last home defeat came at this very stadium (0-1 vs Paraguay) back in 2016. Not a stat that will encourage Colombia fans

Argentina well in control possession-wise

Colombia simply not being allowed to play as Argentina players apply a high-press.

Di Maria robs Mojica and tries his luck from outside the box, great effort with the ball just failing to get enough swerve.

First attack from Colombia as Borja feeds Dias and the Liverpool man's effort is deflected over the bar.

Argentina looking really sharp and moving the ball around really well. Colombia yet to get out of first gear so far in tonight's contest.

Lionel Scaloni back on the bench for Argentina tonight after covid ruled him out of the recent trip to Chile.

Argentina enjoying the better of this opening spell enjoying more time on the ball with Colombia sitting back.

Liverpool fans will, once again be watching tonight with interest following the confirmation that Luis Dias has swapped the blue and white of Porto for the red of Liverpool.

50,000 fans of the capacity 57,000 in attendance tonight in Cordoba with a 7,000 fan ban due to racist chanting in a recent game vs. Brazil

Colombia's final two games in the qualifying stage in March are (h) to Bolivia and away to Venezuela. On paper not the most difficult of tests but 'La Tricolor' may need all 9 points on the table to opt for the fourth and final automatic ticket to Qatar.

The pitch looks like it has been heavily watered before kick-off....

All set in Cordoba, the home side will get things going...

Tonight's refereeing team are from Brazil with Rafael Claus the match official.

Packed house here at the Estadio Mario Kempes in Cordoba with plenty of noise already being generated by the home fans

A very hot and muggy evening in the city of Cordoba with a current temperature of 33C/91F. No rain forecast during tonight's CONMEBOL WCQ.

The sides are on the pitch and it's time for the national anthems... first up, that of Colombia followed by the Argentine national anthem.

Colombia will be in their traditional yellow shirt/blue shorts combo tonight with the home side too in their classic sky and white stripes.

1970 was the last time the Albiceleste failed to make it to a World Cup with the two-times winners ever presents since the 1974 tournament in West Germany.

Colombia will be hoping to advance to a seventh appearance at a World Cup finals with Los Cafeteros present in Brazil in 2014 and in the most recent Russia World Cup.

Seven of tonight's Argentina starting line-up play in LaLiga, with one player a-piece from Ligue 1, Serie A, Premier League and the Dutch Eredivise League.

A late winner for Chile in La Paz pretty much finishes Bolivia's slender hopes of securing a 5th place spot but really does create a four way race for the final automatic qualifying space and a consolation fifth spot which would see a play-off against the OFC champions.

Chile win in Bolivia to complicate matters further for Colombia

Four of Sevilla FC's Argentine players get the nod from Scaloni tonight with Acuña, El Papu, Montiel and Ocampos in the starting line-up.

Argentina XI

Junior's Miguel Borja to lead the line for Rueda's side tonight with Falcao on the bench. 'El Tigre' wasn't looking that sharp to be honest in last Friday's clash in Barranquilla.

Confirmed: Colombia XI

Argentina on top in head-to-head record

Both Argentina and Colombia have gone head-to-head on 39 occasions with the Albiceleste running out winners on 19 occasions with 11 draws and 9 wins for the Colombian side.

Argentina fans ready for action

Fans of the Albiceleste ready for the match between Argentina and Colombia as part of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers at Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium

Argentina's last international fixture at the Estadio Mario Kempes ended in a 0-1 loss to Paraguay as part of the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifying campaign. A result that would be greatly accepted by Los Cafeteros fans tonight.

In their past five competitive meetings, Argentina have one win, as do Colombia with three games ending in draws. The corresponding WCQ fixture in Colombia ended in a 2-2 draw.

Argentina host Colombia tonight in a crucial World Cup qualifying clash for Los Cafeteros, whose aspirations of making the finals in Qatar suffered a blow when they were beaten 1-0 in Barranquilla by Peru last time out. That result leaves Reinaldo Rueda’s side two points adrift of Uruguay, who currently occupy the inter-confederation playoff place with only three rounds of matches still to play.

Argentina have already secured a place at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and Colombia desperately need maximum points after Friday's shock home defeat at the hands of Peru,

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as Argentina face Colombia in Cordoba with the game getting underway at 6:30 (pm) ET / 00:30 on Feb 2nd if you're in the CET time-zone.