Colombia edges defending champion Argentina 2-1 in South American World Cup qualifiers

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (AP) — James Rodríguez scored from the penalty spot and had an assist to help Colombia edge defending champion Argentina 2-1 on Tuesday in a South American World Cup qualifier.

Injured Argentina star Lionel Messi didn’t play in Barranquilla, the first match between the teams since the Copa America final.

Yerson Mosquera opened the scoring in the 25th minute but Argentina equalized in the 48th when Nico Gonzalez capitalized on a defensive blunder from the Colombians. Rodríguez’ 60th-minute penalty, which was awarded after a video review, secured the win at the Metropolitano Stadium.

World Cup champion Argentina lifted the Copa America trophy after a 1-0 overtime victory over Colombia in July.

Colombia, which hadn't triumphed over Argentina since 2019, is still unbeaten in South American World Cup qualifying.

Argentina leads the round-robin competition with 18 points after eight matches, two points clear of Colombia.

Also on Tuesday, Bolivia upset Chile 2-1 at Santiago and Ecuador beat Peru 1-0. Venezuela vs. Uruguay and Paraguay vs. Brazil were still to play.

The top six teams in South American qualifying will get automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup.

Colombia once again had the 33-year-old Rodríguez to thank after he gave a perfect cross for Mosquera to nod in and opening the scoring. That equalized Carlos Valderrama's record of 11 assists in South American World Cup qualifying.

A mistake by Rodríguez allowed Argentina to equalize, with Nico González stealing the ball from him and shooting past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

But Rodríguez made amends when he beat Dibu Martínez, a prolific penalty stopper, and equalized Falcao García's mark of 13 goals in World Cup qualifying.

Argentina's strikers Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez failed to offer as much danger as they do when veteran Messi is there to create opportunities for them.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Peru's Renato Tapia, reacts after fails an opportunity to scores during a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Ecuador's Enner Valencia, center, celebrates with his teammates Alan Franco, left, and John Mercado, scoring his side's opening goal against Peru during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Patricio Teran)

Bolivia's Carmelo Algaranaz, left, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Chile during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Bolivia's Carmelo Algaranaz, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal against Chile during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Argentina's Nicolas Gonzalez (15) celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Colombia with teammates during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring a penalty, his side's second goal, against Argentina during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cale Makar had a power-play goal and an assist, Parker Kelly scored short-handed and the Colorado Avalanche capitalized on special teams to get a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

Nathan MacKinnon had an empty-net goal and two assists, Valeri Nichushkin also scored and the Avalanche picked up where they left off after scoring twice on the power play in a 4-2 win at San Jose on Thursday night. Scott Wedgewood made 29 saves.

Kelly tied it at 1 on a 2-on-1 short-handed rush in the second, and Nichushkin put Colorado ahead midway through the period. Makar made it 3-1 with a wrist shot early in the third, picking up his fifth power-play goal and 18th point with a man advantage.

Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn scored for Anaheim. John Gibson made 19 saves, including a penalty shot by Samuel Girard with 5:24 left in the third, but lost for the fifth time in six starts.

Avalanche: The decision to overhaul their goaltending has paid off so far, with Colorado winning six of nine games with Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood starting in net.

Ducks: Jacob Trouba got his first point as a Duck since getting traded from the New York Rangers on Dec. 6 when Carlsson redirected the veteran defenseman's shot early in the second.

Makar's shot is too good to be left with time and space on the power play, and he punished the Ducks' over pursuit on the penalty kill 3:30 into the third.

MacKinnon became the first player in the NHL to pass the 40-assist mark this season, picking up the secondary helper on Nichushkin’s goal and the primary on Makar's.

The Avalanche host Seattle and the Ducks visit Utah on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) blocks a shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) and goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) stop a shot by Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) celebrates after his goal with center Jansen Harkins (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) scores past Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Keaton Middleton (67) and Anaheim Ducks left wing Ross Johnston (44) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Colorado Avalanche players celebrate after a goal by right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)