Colombia 0-1 Argentina: Lucas Biglia secures first win for Albiceleste

Argentina earned their first World Cup qualifying win as Lucas Biglia's first-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over Colombia.

It was only Argentina's second goal in four games, but the result moves them up to fourth and back into contention in the fledgling campaign after a disappointing start.

Colombia, meanwhile, remain just outside the qualifying berths after suffering their second defeat in the opening four games.

Gonzalo Higuain returned to bolster an Argentina side that was a lowly ninth in the standings going into the clash in Barranquilla.

But Colombia, who had an extra day to prepare, seized the early initiative and threatened to add to Argentina's woes.

James Rodriguez, who scored the equaliser in Thursday's 1-1 draw at Chile after missing the opening two qualifiers, had the first sight of goal in the third minute but his ambitious strike from the edge of the area drifted wide.

That was as close as the hosts got to making their early control count and as a result the visitors were able to grow into the contest.

They took the lead after 20 minutes when Lazio midfielder Biglia profited from Ezequiel Lavezzi's superb burst down the right to tap home into an empty net.

Colombia continued to toil and could have gone further behind just after the restart, with David Ospina doing well to deny Ever Banega's drive.

As the second half wore on the Colombians tried to force the issue, but they only registered their first shot on target in the 69th minute when Sergio Romero saved from Edwin Cardona.

Paulo Dybala hit the post for Argentina late on, while Luis Muriel was twice denied in stoppage time as Los Cafeteros searched for an equaliser but it was too little too late.