Lionel Messi opened the scoring as Argentina thumped neighbours Uruguay 3-0 in an entertaining World Cup qualifier on Sunday. 

Goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez rounded off a successful night for Lionel Scaloni’s team in Buenos Aires as they maintained their unbeaten start to the qualification campaign and closed the gap at the top of the single South American table to six points behind Brazil, who drew 0-0 with Colombia. “We played a great match, I think we’re improving a lot,” said Messi.