After an incredible run of form stretching back to their 2022 World Cup triumph, Argentina had found themselves in the unfamiliar position of going two games without a win, after a qualifying defeat to Colombia was followed by a 1-1 draw with Venezuela last week, albeit on a heavily waterlogged pitch.

Any concerns were banished last night, though, as they thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in Buenos Aires to get keep their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup firmly on track, maintaining a three-point lead at the top of the table.

Fernandez played the full 90 minutes in a deep role as Argentina reverted to a three-man midfield, but it was captain Lionel Messi, back in the national team following injury, who stole the show with three goals and two assists.

The Albiceleste were already three up by half-time, after Messi’s opener and goals from Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez shortly before the break. They were never troubled from there, as Thiago Almada added his name to the scoresheet before Messi completed his hat-trick late on, his 10th for his country to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time international record.

Ecuador had also drawn their last qualifier, 0-0 against Paraguay, but were unable to improve on that result this time around. This goalless draw was a valuable point, though, away against a Uruguay side who are chasing the leaders.

Like Fernandez, Caicedo featured throughout, while Kendry Paez – who will join Chelsea after his 18th birthday – was among the substitutes. It was a tough and physical match for the visitors, as Uruguay took the attacking initiative on home soil, but a strong defensive effort from Caicedo and Ecuador saw them stand strong for an important qualifying point.

Ecuador remain in fifth place, with the top six qualifying automatically for the next World Cup and seventh entering the intercontinental play-off. They have a narrow one-point advantage over seventh-placed Bolivia and a two-point gap to Venezuela in eighth.