Spain confirmed Monday Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez will not be joining them for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, after suffering a hamstring injury.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will sit out Argentina’s final group match against Ecuador next week.

Paqueta and Guimaraes struck in quick succession late in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

Argentina were dealt a major blow when Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card, leaving the hosts with ten men for a large portion of the match. Colombia capitalised on the numerical advantage early, taking the lead through Luis Diaz in the 24th minute.

Coach Tony Popovic said "we've done something special" after his Australia side moved to the brink of next year's World Cup on Thursday while Indonesia ended China's qualifying hopes.

New Zealand reached the World Cup for only the third time.

With a run of five wins, four losses and two draws, Brazil are fourth in the standings on 17 points, five behind leaders Argentina, with the top six qualifying automatically for the World Cup in North America. Uruguay are second on 19 points.

Vinicius Jr, who missed Brazil's victories over Peru and Chile last month with a neck injury, will be back in the starting lineup after Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo suffered a muscle injury in Saturday's 4-0 win over Osasuna in LaLiga.

The defeat leaves Brazil in fifth place in the standings on 10 points, leading by goal difference from Venezuela, who drew 0-0 at home to Uruguay on Tuesday.

Colombia skipper Rodriguez buried a nerveless 60th minute spot-kick to seal a pulsating win over reigning world champions Argentina, who were without injured captain Lionel Messi.

This South American World Cup qualifier fixture serves as a reprise of July’s Copa America final, where Argentina clinched a thrilling victory with Lautaro Martinez’s decisive extra-time goal, securing their second successive title.

Japan has been declared the winner of its cancelled World Cup qualifying match against North Korea by forfeit, the sport's global governing body told the Japan Football Association on Saturday.

From 15 to 21 November, the 53 nations involved in the African qualifying campaign kicked off their quest to secure one of the nine automatic spots up for grabs at football’s most illustrious event.

"This group continues to achieve historic things," Messi said.

Australia will donate part of their match fees from a World Cup 2026 qualifier against Palestine in Kuwait City on Tuesday towards humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Bangladesh kicked off their World Cup Qualifiers campaign with a thumping 7-0 defeat to mighty Australia in Group I fixture at AAMI Park Stadium in Melbourne yesterday, with substitute Jaime Maclaren stealing the spotlight with a second-half hattrick.