Lionel Messi scored one and assisted two more as Argentina ran riot in their World Cup qualifying clash with Colombia on Tuesday night.

The Barcelona superstar gave his side the lead with a brilliant free-kick after only 10 minutes before setting up Lucas Pratto and Angel di Maria in the second half to seal the three points.

The victory helps ease the pain of the 3-0 defeat to Brazil last week and keeps alive their hopes of qualification for the 2018 showpiece.

The match started at an extraordinarily high pace, both teams creating clear cut chances as Nicolas Otamendi headed over for the hosts before Falcao did the same at the other end.

Messi then broke the deadlock when he whipped a stunning free-kick into the top right corner past a despairing David Ospina.

The visitors almost responded immediately as James Rodriguez crossed for Falcao but his headed effort was wayward once again.

He was made to pay for the miss as Messi turned provider, sending in a brilliant cross for Pratto to dispatch at the far post.

There was nearly a third before half-time for Argentina as Di Maria dispossessed Wilmar Barrios in midfield to go one-on-one with Ospina but his low effort was saved by the Arsenal stopper.

Messi produced another exceptional cross midway through the second half, this one onto the head of Otamendi who headed back towards the far post, but Santiago Arias was on hand to deny Gabriel Mercado what would have been a simple tap-in.

But the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was not done yet.

He stole possession from Jeison Murillo on the far touchline, before storming into the area and squaring for Di Maria to rifle into an empty net.

Rodriguez nearly provided his team with some semblance of consolation in the closing minutes but his free-kick, from almost the exact same spot as Messi's, came back off the upright with Sergio Romero rooted to his spot.

Argentina rise to fifth in the South America World Cup qualifying standings, a point above Colombia.

They could have moved as high as fourth, but Chile defeated Uruguay 3-1.