James Rodriguez strikes for Colombia, Argentina - Brazil postponed

Real Madrid star James Rodriguez has returned to snatch a draw for Colombia against Chile on Thursday as Argentina and Brazil's long-awaited World Cup qualifying clash was postponed by torrential rain.

Rodriguez, who missed Colombia's opening two 2018 World Cup qualifiers last month through injury, pounced in the 68th minute to help give his team a precious point in a 1-1 draw with the Copa America champions in Santiago.

Chile, who dominated possession for long periods but struggled to break down a disciplined Colombian defence, had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time through a headed Arturo Vidal effort.

In other games, surprise package Ecuador defeated Uruguay 2-1 to maintain their 100 per cent start to the qualifying campaign after three matches.

Ecuador, shock winners over Argentina in Buenos Aires last month, secured all three points through Fidel Martinez's second-half winner.

Uruguay, missing suspended superstar Luis Suarez - still serving a ban for his infamous bite at the 2014 World Cup - struggled to contain a vibrant Ecuador side, comfortable in the challenging thin Andean air of Quito, some 9000-feet above sea level.

Ecuador took the lead on 23 minutes through Felipe Caicedo, the Espanyol striker coolly tucking away a low cross from Juan Paredes on the right flank.

But Uruguay levelled four minutes after halftime through returning striker Edinson Cavani, the Paris Saint-Germain forward heading home from Nicolas Lodeiro's perfectly flighted free-kick.

But Ecuador regained the lead only 10 minutes later however through an opportunistic strike from Martinez.

Swansea City forward Jefferson Montero was the catalyst, cutting in purposefully from the left flank and unleashing a fierce low shot towards Fernando Muslera.

Muslera could only parry the shot into the path of Martinez, who jabbed home the rebound to trigger wild celebrations in Quito's Atahualpa Stadium.

Ecuador will now aim to secure a fourth consecutive victory when they travel to Venezuela next Tuesday.

Venezuela, who lost their opening two matches last month, suffered a third defeat earlier on Thursday when they slumped to a 4-2 defeat to Bolivia in La Paz.

8:50 PM