The reigning world and Copa America champion fell behind to Luis Diaz's individual effort in the first half of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at Estadio Mas Monumental.

Enzo Fernandez was then dismissed for the host, which has already qualified for next year's finals, but Almada earned a share of the spoils with a fine strike in the 81st minute.

Both sides went close during the first half. Deiver Machado fired over from a dangerous position for Colombia, while Julian Alvarez stung Kevin Mier's palms from distance at the other end.

However, it was the visitors who struck first in emphatic fashion after 24 minutes; Diaz drifting inside from the left flank with a strong run - beating three defenders along the way - before slotting past Emiliano Martinez.

Lionel Scaloni's side went in search of an equaliser. Alvarez saw a volley ruled out for offside against the returning Lionel Messi, while Fernandez fired over and Nicolas Gonzalez hit the post from close range.

The host's task became even more difficult when Fernandez was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute, after the Chelsea midfielder caught Kevin Castano in the face with a high boot.

Nevertheless, Argentina was level nine minutes from time, with Almada driving into the area before drilling past Mier and into the far corner.

Colombia almost regained its advantage when Richard Rios's free header clipped the outside of the post, but it had to settle for a point in Buenos Aires.

Los Cafeteros, who occupy sixth place in the COMNEBOL qualifying section, are four points clear of seventh-place Venezuela, after Los Vinotintos were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay.

Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored either side of half-time at Estadio Centenario, as Marcelo Bielsa's side moved within a point of sealing their qualification for the finals.

Meanwhile, Ecuador secured its place in the tournament with two games to spare with a 0-0 draw against Peru in Lima; its third successive goalless stalemate.