MENDOZA (AP) — Dos mágicos goles de Lionel Messi, además de otro de Sergio Agüero, le dieron el triunfo 3-0 el viernes a Argentina sobre Uruguay, lo que permitió a los Albicelestes conservar la punta de las eliminatorias sudamericanas rumbo al Mundial del 2014.

Figura de la cancha, el astro del Barcelona español metió el primero y el tercero en la segunda etapa, y en el medio de esos goles el romance con la red fue de Agüero, del Manchester City, en un partido jugado con uñas y dientes, típico de estos históricos rivales del Río de la Plata.

Argentina conservó el liderazgo con 17 unidades, seguido por sus escoltas Colombia y Ecuador con uno menos y que no le pierden pisada, mientras que Uruguay se quedó con 12 unidades. Poco antes, Colombia venció 2-0 a Paraguay y Ecuador 3-1 a Chile.

Messi metió el primero a los 65 minutos tras aprovechar una evolución de Angel di María, del Real Madrid español, y la clavó en la red con la punta del pie.

En medio del dominio argentino, Agüero aumentó a los 74 en una jugada iniciada por Messi, quien selló la victoria con un impecable tiro libre.

Un disparo del lateral Marco Rojo, apenas desviado, y otro de Angel di María que culminó en las manos de Fernando Muslera fueron dos telegramas de aviso de Argentina rumbo al gol.

Uruguay recién se hizo notar poco antes de la media hora cuando Edinson Cavani enganchó desde la izquierda y lanzó un sablazo que se fue cerca del poste izquierdo de Sergio Romero.

Con una buena disposición ofensiva, Argentina se llevó tres puntos que le permiten ir a Chile el martes con la tranquilidad de mantener la cima, mientras que Uruguay visitará a Bolivia.

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Alineaciones:

ARGENTINA: Sergio Romero, Pablo Zabaleta, Federico Fernández, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo, (Hugo Campagnaro, 67), Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di María, Sergio Agüero (Pablo Guiñazú, 78), Gonzalo Higuaín (Hernán Barcos, 88), Lionel Messi.

URUGUAY: Fernando Muslera, Maximiliano Pereira, Diego Lugano, (Andrés Scotti, 64), Diego Godín, Martín Cáceres, Alvaro González, (Cristian Rodríguez, 67), Egidio Arévalo Ríos, Walter Gargano, Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlán, Luis Suárez.

Arbitro: Leandro Vauden (Brasil).

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  • Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Chile during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Luis Hidalgo)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Chile during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Luis Hidalgo)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with Argentina's Hugo Campagnaro after scoring against Chile during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Chile during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Chile's, from left, Gary Medel, Marcelo Diaz and Gonzalo Jara run after Argentina's Lionel Messi as he controls the ball during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Luis Hidalgo)

  • Fernando Gago, Matias Fernandez

    Argentina's Fernando Gago vies for the ball with Chile's Matias Fernandez during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Chile's Marcelo Diaz, left, chases Argentina's Lionel Messi during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Luis Hidalgo)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi applauds after listening the Argentinean national anthem before a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Fans, one wearing a Chilean soccer jersey, center, and other wearing an Argentinean soccer jersey, right, joke as they pose for pictures before a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match between Argentina and Chile in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Chilean soccer fans cheer wearing Guy Fawkes masks cheer before a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Argentina in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Luis Hidalgo)

  • Argentina's fans cheer before a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Chile in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • A Chilean 'huaso' (cowboy) dances with Chilean flags before a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Argentina in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Venezuela's Grenddy Perozo, top, heads the ball challenged by Ecuador's Jefferson Montero during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

  • Ecuador's Christian Benitez, left, is challenged by Venezuela's Roberto Rosales during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

  • Peru's Jefferson Farfan, right, fights for the ball with Paraguay's Ivan Piris during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

  • Peru's Luis Ramirez, left, fights for the ball with Paraguay's Julio Dos Santos during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

  • Paraguay's players Julio Da Silva, left, and Ivan Piris celebrate after Paraguay beat Peru 1-0 won on a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012.(AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

  • Peru's player Luis Advincula, right, leave field after at the end of a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Paraguay in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Paraguay won the match 1-0.(AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

  • Uruguay's Luis Suarez, front, is tackled by Bolivia's Ronald Raldes during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Uruguay's Luis Suarez gets up after being tackled during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Uruguay's Luis Suarez sits on the field during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2012. Bolivia won 4-1. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Uruguay's Diego Forlan, right, leave the field after being substituted during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Bolivia won 4-1. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Uruguay's players react after Bolivia's Carlos Saucedo, not in picture, scored his team's third goal during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

  • Uruguay's Alvaro Gonzalez, right, battles for the ball with Bolivia's Gualberto Mujica during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Bolivia's Carlos Saucedo celebrates after scoring against Uruguay during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

  • Uruguay's Alvaro Gonzalez, right, battles for the ball with Bolivia's Gualberto Mujica during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Uruguay during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Argentine fans celebrate after Argentina's Lionel Messi scored his second goal against Uruguay during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. The banner reads in Sapnish "Messi marry me" (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

  • Uruguay's Maximiliano Pereira, left, heads the ball as Argentina's Sergio Aguero, right, looks on during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

  • Argentina's Sergio Aguero is tackled by Uruguay's Diego Godin during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Argentina's Sergio Aguero, bottom, right, celebrates with teammate Angel Di Maria, top, after scoring against Uruguay during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. At left, Argentina's Lionel Messi. Argentina won 3-0. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Uruguay during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Ecuador' Segundo Castillo, front right, celebrates with Ecuador's Cristian Noboa after scoring against Chile during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

  • Chile's Matias Fernandez, left, fights for the ball with Ecuador's Frickson Erazo during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Jaramillo)

  • Chile's Alexis Sanchez, left, fights for the ball with Ecuador's Segundo Castillo during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Jaramillo)

  • Chile's Arturo Vidal, right, is sent off by referee Heber Lopez, from Brazil, second from right, during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Ecuador in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

  • Ecuador''s players celebrate after scoring their third goal during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Chile in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Oct., 12, 2012. Ecuador won 3-1. (AP Photo/Martin Jaramillo)

  • Ecuadorean referee Carlos Vera, second from right, issues a yellow card to Bolivia's Walter Flores, right, during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

  • Peru's players reacts at the end a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. The match ended 1-1. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

  • Bolivia's Alejandro Chumacero, right, battles for the ball with Peru's Joel Sanchez during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Bolivia's Alejandro Chumacero, right, struggle for the ball with Peru's Juan Carlos Marino during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Colombia's Pablo Armero, right, battles for the ball with Paraguay's Victor Ayala during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Colombia's Radamel Falcao, partially covered by teammates, celebrates after scoring during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Paraguay in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Colombia's Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Paraguay in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Colombia's Falcao Garcia, left,and Paraguay's Ivan Piris go for a header during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Colombia's Radamel Falcao, left, celebrates with teammate Pablo Armero after scoring during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Paraguay in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Colombia's Radamel Falcao, right, is chased by Paraguay's Richard Ortiz, left, during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

  • Colombia's Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Paraguay in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)