Agence France-Presse
Mendoza (Argentina), Sept 2: Lionel Messi marked his return from short-lived international retirement with the only goal as 10-man Argentina defeated Uruguay 1-0 to score a crucial 2018 World Cup qualifying victory.
Messi, who had dramatically announced the end of his international career in June following Argentina’s Copa America Centenario final defeat to Chile, scored via a deflected shot in the 42nd minute to spark wild celebrations in the Estadio Malvinas here.
The victory – the first under the reign of new coach Edgardo Bauza – catapulted Argentina into first place in South America’s marathon round-robin qualifying campaign with 14 points after seven games.
But Argentina were made to work hard for the victory, playing the second half with only 10 men after young Juventus striker Paulo Dybala was sent off just before the interval after a second yellow card. Dybala was led off the field in tears following the dismissal.
Uruguay had named a powerful looking starting line-up, with Messi’s Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez spearheading the visitors’ attack alongside Edinson Cavani. Captain Diego Godin was also back in the heart of the Uruguayan defence to give the two-time World Cup winners a reassuring solidity.
Yet with the talismanic Messi back in the fold, it was Argentina who enjoyed the better of the opening half. Angel di Maria created the first chance after 32 minutes, winning the ball brilliantly in midfield before laying off to Dybala who advanced on goal.
The 22-year-old let fly with a vicious low shot which crashed off the bottom of the post and cannoned into the back of diving Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera for a corner.
At the other end, Uruguay’s only chance of note came in the 34th minute when Suarez’s long-range free-kick beat the Argentine wall only to be gathered safely by Sergio Romero.
With half time approaching fast Messi, pounced. A sublime piece of control took him towards the edge of the area, and his firm low shot deflected off of Jose Gimenez to deceive Muslera at the near post.
However, in the second session, Argentina had to dig deep after Dybala saw red for a clumsy challenge on Mathias Corujo that drew a second yellow from Chilean referee Julio Bascunan. But despite relentless Uruguay pressure in the closing stages, a determined Argentina defensive effort, led by Javier Mascherano, saw the hosts hold on.
