Argentina 1-0 Colombia: Lautaro Martinez's strike downs Los Cafeteros

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. 

ARGENTINA: (4-3-3) Damian Martinez; Pezzella, Acuna, Montiel, Lisandro Martinez; Gomez (Lucas Martinez 79), Rodriguez, Lo Celso (Buendia 80); Di Maria (Gonzalez 68), Ocampos (Meza 58), Lautaro Martinez (Dybala 69)

Subs not used: Andrada (GK), Armani (GK); Molina, Perez, Angel Correa, Alvarez

Goals: Lautaro Martinez (29)

Bookings: Acuna (44), Montiel (58)

Coach: Lionel Scaloni

COLOMBIA: (4-2-3-1) Vargas; Tesillo, Medina (Valoyes 67), Mojica, Sanchez; Barrios (Cuellar 75), Uribe (Cantillo 57); Cuadrado, Rodriguez (Suarez 57), Diaz; Borja (Falcao 75)

Subs not used: Andres Mosquera (GK); Murillo, Munoz, Hinestroza, Chara, Borre, Preciado

Goals: None

Bookings: Suarez (76), Sanchez (90)

Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)

Man of the Match: Angel Di Maria (Argentina)

Venue: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes (Cordoba)

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