SAN JUAN, Nov. 15 -- Lionel Messi scored a goal and set up two others as Argentina put their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 3-0 victory over Colombia here on Tuesday.

Messi opened the scoring in the 10th minute at the Bicentenario stadium with a curling free kick that left goalkeeper David Ospina clasping at thin air.

Lucas Pratto made it 2-0 soon after when he met a pinpoint Messi cross with a header that flew in at the far post.

Messi put the result beyond doubt when he dribbled into the box and picked out Angel Di Maria, who rifled his shot passed Ospina from close range.

The result saw Argentina usurp Colombia in the fifth place in the South American zone qualifying standings.

The top four teams at the end of the two-year tournament will book a spot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia while the fifth-ranked side will earn a playoff berth.

Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez scored two second-half goals as Chile recovered from a goal down to beat Uruguay 3-1 in Santiago.

Eduardo Vargas was also on target for the hosts after Edinson Cavani put the Celeste ahead in the 17th minute.

In other CONMEBOL qualifiers on Tuesday, Bolivia beat Uruguay 1-0 in La Paz and Ecuador routed Venezuela 3-0 in Quito.

【体坛英语资讯：Messi inspires Argentina to 3-0 victory over Colombia】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Zhu leads Guangdong to CBA title with 31 points

★ 娱乐英语资讯：New curvier Nicole Richies beach life

★ 体坛英语资讯：WR holder Du expects improvement in three positions

★ 体坛英语资讯：Powell lowers world 100m record to 9.74 sec

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Tom Cruise and wife set to move to New York

★ 体坛英语资讯：Another injury sends Yi to NBA sidelines

★ 体坛英语资讯：Federer, Davydenko make Estoril tennis semifinals

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bucks finish preseason with loss to Timberwolves

★ 体坛英语资讯：Big net cast for Chinese tennis champs

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Paris tones down the bling