BUENOS AIRES, Oct 12 (Reuters) – Lionel Messi kept Argentina top of the World Cup qualifiers in South America with a masterful two-goal performance in their 3-0 home victory over Uruguay on Friday.

Messi took his tally in the qualifiers to six with a brilliant free kick as Argentina continued their progression after a wobbly start where they were defeated in Venezuela and held to a draw at home to Bolivia.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Stopping Lionel Messi is the primary concern of South American teams facing Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers. This week it is Uruguay’s turn.

Argentina defend their lead in the South American group at home to Uruguay in Mendoza on Friday (2:00 a.m. British time Saturday). After seven matches they have 14 points, one more than Colombia and Ecuador and two ahead of Uruguay and Chile.

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Stopping Lionel Messi is the primary concern of South American teams facing Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers. This week it is Uruguay’s turn.

Argentina defend their lead in the South American group at home to Uruguay in Mendoza on Friday (0100 GMT Saturday). After seven matches they have 14 points, one more than Colombia and Ecuador and two ahead of Uruguay and Chile.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – River Plate rediscovered their scoring touch to thrash Godoy Cruz 5-0 on Sunday and earn their first home win in the Argentine first division in 18 months.

River’s impressive win comes just three weeks before they host archrivals Boca Juniors at the Monumental in the first “Superclasico” since River lost 2-0 at La Bombonera in May 2011 and were relegated a month later.

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 7 (Reuters) – River Plate rediscovered their scoring touch to thrash Godoy Cruz 5-0 on Sunday and earn their first home win in the Argentine first division in 18 months.

River’s impressive win comes just three weeks before they host archrivals Boca Juniors at the Monumental in the first “Superclasico” since River lost 2-0 at La Bombonera in May 2011 and were relegated a month later.

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 5 (Reuters) – If Argentina are to beat Australia and finish with a victory in their first Rugby Championship on Saturday they must emulate the 2007 Pumas.

Argentina suffered a crushing loss to South Africa in their World Cup semi-final in Paris but picked themselves up to earn third place with a resounding win against hosts France.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Injury-ravaged Australia have gone for greater bulk with five changes for their final Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Rosario on Saturday while the Pumas are unchanged.

Both sides want to finish on a winning note with Argentina, crushed 54-15 by title winners New Zealand last weekend, looking for their first victory in their debut season in the southern hemisphere’s elite tournament and fancying their chances after a narrow 23-19 loss to the Wallabies on the Gold Coast three weeks ago.

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Injury-ravaged Australia have gone for greater bulk with five changes for their final Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Rosario on Saturday while the Pumas are unchanged.

Both sides want to finish on a winning note with Argentina, crushed 54-15 by title winners New Zealand last weekend, looking for their first victory in their debut season in the southern hemisphere’s elite tournament and fancying their chances after a narrow 23-19 loss to the Wallabies on the Gold Coast three weeks ago.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Gangling central defender Rolando Schiavi added another colourful chapter to his long career as a villain-turned-hero in Boca Juniors’ 1-1 draw with San Martin at La Bombonera on Sunday.

Being held by San Martin, who were down to 10 men from the 39th minute, meant that Boca lost the chance to join Newell’s Old Boys at the top of the standings, increasing fans’ disapproval of coach Julio Cesar Falcioni.

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 30 (Reuters) – Gangling central defender Rolando Schiavi added another colourful chapter to his long career as a villain-turned-hero in Boca Juniors’ 1-1 draw with San Martin at La Bombonera on Sunday.

Being held by San Martin, who were down to 10 men from the 39th minute, meant that Boca lost the chance to join Newell’s Old Boys at the top of the standings, increasing fans’ disapproval of coach Julio Cesar Falcioni.