Lionel Messi marked his retirement about face with the only goal to give 10-man Argentina a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Uruguay on Thursday that lifted them to the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russian Federation.
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Uruguay, who have named Messi’s club team-mate Luis Suarez in their team, now lead the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table after six fixtures, with Argentina in third place in the standings. After prematurely and emotionally announcing his worldwide retirement following a disappointing loss in the Copa America final, Messi has return just over two months later and has found his way back on the scoresheet.
The win sends Argentina above Uruguay and to the top of the qualification standings after seven games.
Argentina then had young forward Paulo Dybala, who had nearly put his side ahead in the 31st minute with a shot that hit the post, sent off on the stroke of halftime for a second booking.
Chances were few and far between in the opening stages, with Argentina dominating possession and Messi pulling the strings.
The 22-year-old let fly with a vicious low shot which crashed off the bottom of the post and cannoned into the back of diving Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera for a corner.
Lionel Messi scored the match’s lone goal in the 43rd minute on a deflected shot from the top of the 18-yard-box.
Suarez had the chance for an immediate response from the restart, but his shot was blocked by Pablo Zabaleta, before he attempted to set up Nicolas Lodeiro with a bicycle kick.
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Uruguay had named a powerful looking starting line-up, with Messi’s Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez spearheading the visitors’ attack alongside Edinson Cavani.
