Argentina kick-started their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday, a 1-0 win at Colombia taking some of the pressure off Gerardo Martino's struggling side.

Lucas Biglia 19th-minute goal proved sufficient for Argentina, who were coming off a tough draw against Brazil on Friday.

That was their second straight draw, after a shock defeat to Ecuador in their opening match.

But Biglia's first international goal gave them a lifeline as an Argentina counter-attack led to Ezequiel Lavezzi's cross that Cristian Zapata couldn't control -- leaving Biglia to tap in for a 1-0 lead.

Colombia pushed for an equalizer but were denied a penalty when Teofilo Gutierrez went down under a challenge from Ramiro Funes Mori.

Miscommunication between Funes Mori and Sergio Romero almost gifted Colombia an equalizer in the 34th, but the Argentina goalkeeper recovered in time to prevent Carlos Bacca from scoring.

Angel Di Maria could have doubled Argentina's lead five minutes before the halftime but his angled shot rolled just wide.

Unlike on Friday against Brazil, injury-hit Argentina were able to make a one-goal lead stand up.

With the win, they took their total to five points from four matches, with South America's marathon qualifying heading into a four month break after Tuesday's matches.

In other games on Tuesday, qualifying competition leaders Ecuador made it four wins out of four with a 3-1 triumph over Venezuela at Puerto Ordaz -- Venezuela's fourth defeat in as many matches.

Chile will meanwhile face a repeat of their stormy Copa America clash with Uruguay in which Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Jara will meet for the first time following their clash in July.

Cavani was sent off after lashing out at Jara when the Chilean defender attempted to poke a finger into the Uruguayan striker's backside. Jara was later banned for three matches over the incident.

In other matches, Paraguay host Bolivia and Brazil take on Peru.