After making a U-turn on his national team retirement, Lionel Messi scored the only goal as Argentina beat Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
New coach Edgardo Bauza couldn’t be more delighted as the Albiceleste leap frog Uruguay to the top of the South America qualification standings after seven games.
With banners and songs to welcome him back to the fold, Messi pulled the strings as Argentina dominated possession in Mendoza, although clear cut chances were few and far between as both sides defended resolutely.
Messi had an effort blocked by Gimenez but the five-time ballon d’Or winner was not to be denied two minutes later as he found the back of the net – his 56th goal for Argentina – after his shot took a heavy deflection from Gimenez, wrong-footing Muslera.