Leo Messi makes Argentina return with goal against Uruguay

Lionel Messi marked his Argentina return with a brilliant win against arch-rivals Uruguay in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers match on Thursday. The 10-man Argentina sealed the match with a 1-0 win and Messi with the lone goal announced his comeback with style.

The Argentine skipper's 56th goal helped his side go above Uruguay and to the top of the qualification standings after seven games.

The first half was purely dominated by the home side. The one-sided first half an hour saw Messi created numerous chances but the Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera managed to keep the goal sheet away from him.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez, who returned from an injury, kept his pace along with his FC Barcelona teammate Messi. He had a great chance when Uruguay received a free kick in the 41st minute. However, that went straight into the hands of Sergio Romero.

Two minutes later, Messi got the goal sheet ticking, leaving the crowd overjoyed at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoz.

The "Little Man" who had given up international football a few months later after a heartbreak defeat against Chile in the Cop America 2016 final, did not waste time in unleashing himself in the whites and blues.

The second half saw possessions change as Uruguay had an advantage of an extra man to Argentina's 10 men. Nevertheless, that did not stop Messi from causing troubles.

He almost doubled Argentina's lead in the 52nd minute with a superb curling free-kick, which was brilliantly tipped away by Muslera.

• Lionel Messi
• Argentina
• Argentina beats Uruguay
• Uruguay
• Football
• Luis Suarez