Zimpapers Logo

BUENOS AIRES. — Lionel Messi became the first South American to score 80 international goals as his Argentina side beat Uruguay 3-0 in World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Captain Messi opened the scoring for his side with a floated cross that somehow evaded the goalkeeper.

Rodrigo de Paul doubled Argentina’s lead before half-time, with Lautaro Martinez adding a third after the break.

“We played a great game. Everything worked out perfectly,” said Messi.

“Uruguay wait for you and they generate danger. Once we got the first goal we started to find space and the goals appeared.”

Argentina are now 24 games unbeaten and their latest win keeps up the pressure on Brazil in South America’s World Cup qualifying group.

The victory narrows the gap between Brazil and second-placed Argentina at the top of the 10-team group to six points, after Brazil drew 0-0 with Colombia earlier on Sunday.

Brazil dropped points for the first time in their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 0-0 draw in Colombia.

The Copa America runners-up had won all of their previous nine qualifiers for Qatar but were nowhere near their best in Barranquilla on Sunday.

Brazil had the best chances but efforts from Manchester United’s Fred, Leeds winger Raphinha and Ajax’s Anthony all failed to register.

The result means Brazil are nine points clear at the top of the group.

Colombia remain in fifth place 13 points behind. Brazil looked the more likely to get on the scoresheet, especially after the introduction from the subs bench of the lively Raphinha after an hour for his second cap.

The best chance of the match fell to Anthony after a superb cross from Raphinha with five minutes to go. A fizzing inswinging cross from the right was met by the 21-year-old, who forced an athletic save from Napoli keeper David Ospina.

Brazil had been on top in the first half with Paris St-Germain star Neymar dropping deep and dictating many of their best moves. But the second half was a scrappy affair with both sides failing to keep their shape. — BBC Sport.