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. Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has seen his side pick up 13 points in five matches since,looking more balanced with each match and improving in defence behind a quality attack featuring Messi,Sergio Aguero,Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria. We have very good players who had an excellent match,they played like a team, Sabella told reporters,adding there are no adequate words to describe Messi. The Spanish Royal Academy (which governs the language) must search for a new adjective for Messi, he said. Argentina beat Colombia in November to start their resurgence,but it was also a key match for the defeated side. Colombia sacked Leonel Alvarez after the loss,replacing him with Argentinas 2006 World Cup coach Jose Pekerman,whose revived side have won their last three matches in style scoring nine goals. Radamel Falcao scored both goals for a tally of five overall as an impressive Colombia team beat Paraguay 2-0,while Felipe Caicedo also bagged a brace in Ecuadors 3-1 home win over Chile. Colombia and Ecuador,coached by Colombian Reinaldo Rueda who steered Honduras to the last World Cup finals,are one point behind Argentina in second and third place. Uruguay are fourth,five points off the pace at the halfway stage in the nine-nation,16-match campaign. Chile are fifth level on points with Uruguay and are at home to Argentina on Tuesday but will be without defender Pablo Contreras and midfielder Arturo Vidal who were sent off on Friday. When the qualifiers end in 2013,the top four will automatically go through to the finals in Brazil the following year with the fifth-placed side facing a playoff against an Asian team for one more berth. Spain win,Portugal lose In Europe,Leo Messis Barcelona teammate Pedro Rodriguez scored a hat trick as world champions Spain routed host Belarus 4-0. Yet,celebrations were muted in the debt-ridden country after no broadcaster paid to televise La Rojas match for the first time in 29 years. Spains wasnt the most convincing win of the third round of regional qualifiers,with Germany handing Ireland their worst loss since 1971,6-1 at Dublin. England entertained at Wembley with a 5-0 demolition of San Marino,Italy saw off spirited Armenia 3-1 and 2018 World Cup hosts Russia added zest to their hopes of making it to Brazil with a 1-0 win over a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal in Moscow. The Portuguese are three points behind Russia,which is unbeaten under new coach Fabio Capello and has three straight wins in qualifying. Swedes dig deep Also,Belgium enhanced their burgeoning reputation as a growing force in Europe with a 3-0 win in Serbia,who lost a home World Cup qualifier for the first time in more than 10 years. Sweden and the Czech Republic needed second-half rallies to avoid draws against weak competition,beating Faeroe Islands 2-1 and Malta 3-1,respectively. The victory for the Swedes left them second in Group C,three points behind Germany ahead of their meeting in Berlin on Tuesday. Holland top Group D on goal difference from Romania,1-0 winners in Turkey,after their 3-0 defeat of Andorra. Iceland moved to within one point of Group E leaders Switzerland,held 1-1 by Norway,courtesy of a 2-1 win over Albania,while there is a three-way traffic jam at the top of Group G with Greece,Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovakia all on seven points. Walcott out for Poland match England forward Theo Walcott has been ruled out of their World Cup qualifier in Poland on Tuesday with a chest injury,the FA said on Saturday. Walcott was clattered by San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini five minutes into England's 5-0 Group H victory at Wembley on Friday.
