Lautaro Martinez extends Argentina's impressive unbeaten run in World Cup qualifying to 15 games as his first-half strike downs Colombia, leaving Luis Diaz and Co's hopes of reaching Qatar 2022 hanging by a thread
- Argentina extend their unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifying to 15 games
- Lautaro Martinez broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark for the hosts
- The result leaves Colombia seventh in the group and in danger of not qualifying
- Colombia have now failed to score in seven straight World Cup qualifiers
Argentina extended their unbeaten run to 29 games on Tuesday when they beat a toothless Colombia 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
Lautaro Martinez got the only goal of an untidy game after 29 minutes when he took advantage of slack defending to rifle home from inside the penalty area.
The top four teams in the South American section qualify automatically for Qatar and the fifth-placed side goes into a playoff with a team from the Asian confederation.
![Lautaro Martinez (right) scored the only goal of the game as Argentina beat Colombia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661613-10466175-image-a-9_1643764310148.jpg)
Lautaro Martinez (right) scored the only goal of the game as Argentina beat Colombia
![The Inter Milan star controlled a cross in the box before smashing the ball home in the first half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661569-10466175-image-a-18_1643764380496.jpg)
The Inter Milan star controlled a cross in the box before smashing the ball home in the first half
![Martinez runs to a television camera to celebrate his 19th goal for his country on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661559-10466175-image-a-19_1643764394231.jpg)
Martinez runs to a television camera to celebrate his 19th goal for his country on Tuesday
![Martinez (right) is congratualted by Argentinian team-mate Giovani Lo Celso (left)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661619-10466175-image-a-8_1643764304751.jpg)
Martinez (right) is congratualted by Argentinian team-mate Giovani Lo Celso (left)
Brazil and Argentina have already qualified and Ecuador's 24 points mean they are almost certain to join them.
The result leaves Colombia in seventh place in the 10-team table with 17 points, five points behind Uruguay, two behind Chile, and three behind Peru, who could strengthen their position further with a win over Ecuador later on Tuesday.
The match brought together a home side 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.
![Miguel Angel Borja (left) saw his shot at goal saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661573-10466175-image-a-20_1643765230543.jpg)
Miguel Angel Borja (left) saw his shot at goal saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez
![James Rodriguez (left) brings down the ball in the first half while being pressured by Acuna](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661567-10466175-image-a-21_1643765235870.jpg)
James Rodriguez (left) brings down the ball in the first half while being pressured by Acuna
![Davinson Sanchez (left) looks to dispossess Lucas Ocampos (right) of the ball](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661565-10466175-image-a-22_1643765241536.jpg)
Davinson Sanchez (left) looks to dispossess Lucas Ocampos (right) of the ball
Both runs were extended in a game that Argentina controlled without ever looking like they were in top gear.
The home side were without Lionel Messi, who was rested after a recent bout with COVID-19, but Martinez and Angel Di Maria assumed the attacking mantle.
Di Maria was a threat throughout with his long-range shooting, and caused problems for Colombia's second-string keeper Camilo Vargas.
![Argentina's German Pezzella (No 6) leaps high in the air to head the ball during the qualifier](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661589-10466175-image-a-25_1643765269090.jpg)
Argentina's German Pezzella (No 6) leaps high in the air to head the ball during the qualifier
![It was a typically fiesty affair with plenty of robust challenges flying in from either side](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661593-10466175-image-a-24_1643765264067.jpg)
It was a typically fiesty affair with plenty of robust challenges flying in from either side
Colombia's best chance came in first half stoppage time when Luis Diaz had a shot kicked off the line.
In the night's earlier games, Chile beat Bolivia 3-2 away and Uruguay ran out 4-1 winners over Venezuela in Montevideo.
Brazil play Paraguay and Peru face Ecuador later on Tuesday.
![Marcos Acuna closes down Borja as Colombia try to make a breakthrough in Cordoba](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/02/01/53661557-10466175-image-a-23_1643765253987.jpg)
Marcos Acuna closes down Borja as Colombia try to make a breakthrough in Cordoba
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