Brazil defeated Uruguay in some style to move to the edge of the World Cup finals on Thursday as Lionel Messi got Argentina’s faltering qualification campaign back on track with the only goal to defeat Chile.
A magnificent hat-trick from China-based midfielder Paulinho powered Brazil to a 4-1 thrashing of the Uruguayans in Montevideo to leave the five-time world champions almost certain of a place at next year’s WC Finals in Russia.
The Brazilians now lead the 10-team round-robin competition by seven points after their latest win.
Uruguay had taken the lead after only nine minutes into the game when Brazil goalkeeper Alisson brought down Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani for a penalty.
Cavani got up to his feet and smashed the spot-kick beyond the Brazilian goalkeeper to put Uruguay 1-0 up.
But Paulinho produced a thunderbolt 10 minutes later, a thunderous strike into the top corner from 25-yards to level at 1-1.
The midfielder then tapped a rebound from Philippe Coutinho’s shot in the 51st minute to make it 2-1.
Barcelona superstar Neymar added a third with a superb chip in the 75th minute to settle the contest.
Paulinho completed his hat-trick in injury time, turning in a low cross from Dani Alves with his chest to conclude a fine display.
Uruguay, who were missing the suspended Luis Suarez, remain in second place in the standings.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina had entered their contest with Chile desperately needing to take all three points to revive their campaign.
And captain Messi delivered the much needed victory as Argentina avenged last year’s Copa America Centenario final defeat to the Chileans with a 1-0 win.
Messi stroked home his penalty on 16 minutes after veteran Chile defender Jose Fuenzalida brought down Angel Di Maria with a clumsy challenge.
Last year, Messi was left shattered after missing his penalty in the shootout at the Copa America Centenario in New York.
But the incredible maestro did no such thing on Thursday, drilling his spot-kick beyond former Barcelona teammate Claudio Bravo to secure a vital three points for the two-time world champions.
The win leaves Argentina in third place overall in the 10-team qualifying competition with 22 points from 13 games.
But the defeat means two-time reigning South American champions Chile are still struggling to qualify for Russia.
The Chileans remain outside the automatic qualification places.
Colombia, the 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists, boosted their chances of qualification with a 1-0 win over Bolivia in Barranquilla.
Real Madrid star James Rodriguez bundled in the rebound from his own late penalty to claim the points.
Rodriguez rammed home his finish at the second attempt after Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe had saved the playmaker’s spotkick on 83 minutes.
Until Rodriguez’s late winner, it looked as if Bolivia had done enough to earn a point, defending in depth and frustrating the hosts at every turn.
But Bolivia’s luck ran out when Cristian Coimbra brought down winger Juan Cuadrado with a clumsy challenge to give Rodriguez his chance for glory.