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Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures to fans at the end of a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Chile in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Argentina won 2-1. Eduardo Di Baia, Associated Press
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Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates Hugo Campagnaro (13), Sergio Aguero (16) and Angel Di Maria, partially covered, after scoring against Chile during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Luis Hidalgo, Associated Press
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Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures after missing a chance to score during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Chile in Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Eduardo Di Baia, Associated Press
By Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi scored again in Argentina's 2-1 victory on Tuesday over Chile, which kept the favorites atop the standings South America's World Cup qualifying.

Messi has scored three goals over two games in four days that have yielded six key points for Argentina.

In other qualifying matches on Tuesday, Ecuador drew 1-1 with Venezuela, Paraguay defeated Peru 1-0, and Bolivia beat Uruguay 4-1.

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Argentina has 20 points atop the standings, three ahead of Ecuador and four up on Colombia. Uruguay, Chile and Venezuela have 12 each, with the top four to qualify for the World Cup and the fifth team to face a further playoff. Peru and Bolivia have eight and Paraguay has seven.

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