BOGOTA - Argentina captain Javier Zanetti reacted angrily after Alfio Basile's side suffered their first defeat of the World Cup qualifying campaign as Colombia recorded a 2-1 victory on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi's brilliant solo goal had handed the visitors a 34th minute lead 10 minutes after Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez was sent-off.
But after defender Ruben Bustos, who clashed with Tevez prior to his dismissal, curled home a trademark second half free-kick, Dairo Moreno netted a cross from substitute Freddy Grisales with eight minutes remaining as unbeaten Colombia moved into second place behind Argentina in the qualifying table.
"When you play against a 10-men team you mustn't mock them," said Zanetti. "But this is not over. Colombia still have to travel to Buenos Aires.
"It was an unfair defeat. Argentina, with one less player, played better. They built their victory on a free-kick and a dubious goal."
Bayern Munich's Martin Demichelis added: "We gave a lot of effort, but couldn't get the result. We deserved at least one point."
Tevez had an early chance to break the deadlock, but saw his volley from Juan Roman Riquelme's cross saved by Colombia goalkeeper Agustin Julio.
Jose Amaya tested Argentina goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri before Tevez saw red and Messi grabbed a brilliant solo opener.
Messi came close to doubling the advantage shortly after the re-start but agonisingly saw his curling effort drift wide of the post.
Abbondanzieri brilliantly turned away a long shot from substitute McNelly Torres as Colombia stepped up the pressure after the break following the introduction of substitute Grisales.
Colombia's pressure finally paid off as Bustos curled past Abbondanzieri to follow-up a similar effort against Venezuela last Saturday which secured the three points.
Wason Renteria collected a second yellow card of the campaign following a foul on Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano and will miss the next World Cup outing against Peru in June before substitute Grisales and Moreno combined to secure all three points for the home side.
Argentina coach Basile admitted he was left confused by Tevez's first half dismissal, but admitted Colombia's second half dominance inspired by Grisales' introduction was crucial.
"We played a very good first half, but the second was favourable to Colombia," he said. "Freddy Grisales gave Colombia extra velocity, they were clearly superior physically after Tevez was sent-off."
Colombia trail Argentina, who had won all three of their previous games, by just one point in the South American qualifying campaign, which offers four place at the World Cup, ahead of their next game against Peru in June.
"It's a great victory against a big team like Argentina," said Bustos. "We wanted to finish the year with eight points and we achieved that."
Midfielder McNelly Torres added: "It's a great victory for us. We had to work hard and steal their perfect record.
"The match was hard fought and, in some moments, was very hot. It's something normal when a big team lose, they get a little mad."
