Competing in the Group B opener at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, the match remained scoreless until the 71st minute.

Substitute Roger Martinez broke the deadlock and put Colombia 1-0 up, before Duvan Zapata made the victory certain five minutes from time. 

It was Colombia's first win over Argentina since 2007, and with their opponents' line-up including the likes of six-time La Liga golden boot winner Lionel Messi and four-time Premier League winner Sergio Agüero, the Colombians had been considered the underdogs going into the game.

"We knew that it was a long time since we beat Argentina and we’re delighted,” Zapata said, as reported by Reuters.

"We'll enjoy this, it's a great result but the tournament goes on and there are lot of difficult games to go."

Argentina have not won the tournament since 1993 and have been beaten in four of the last five finals, including the previous two.

Peru played out a 0-0 draw with Venezuela earlier in the day in Group A.

Venezuela had to play the last 16 minutes with only 10 men after Luis Mago was sent off for a second bookable offence.

It means hosts Brazil top the group after their 3-0 opening day win over Bolivia yesterday.

Action continues tomorrow with Paraguay and invitational team Qatar completing the opening round of Group B matches at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

Uruguay and Ecuador will then kick off Group C at Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto in Belo Horizonte.