Messi inspires Argentina as Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay qualify

Lionel Messi struck twice in an emotional farewell home qualifier as Argentina defeated Venezuela 3-0 in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored in the 39th and 80th minutes at a packed Mas Monumental stadium, where 80,000 fans, along with his three sons and father Jorge, marked the occasion. With Argentina already assured of a place in North America, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed he will rest his captain for next week’s trip to Ecuador. “He made an enormous effort and deserves a rest and to be with his family,” Scaloni said. “He ended up very tired and physically exhausted. He should have come off, but he didn’t because of the emotional nature of the match.”

Uruguay also sealed qualification with a 3-0 win over Peru in Montevideo. Rodrigo Aguirre, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Federico Vinas scored as Marcelo Bielsa guided a third different nation to the finals. Colombia cruised past Bolivia by the same scoreline, with James Rodriguez, Jhon Cordoba and Juan Fernando Quintero on target. Paraguay earned the draw they needed, holding Ecuador 0-0 to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

Brazil, already qualified, brushed aside Chile 3-0 at the Maracana with goals from Estevao, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes.

(Source: AFP)