Lionel Messi scored the winning goal on his return from a short-lived international retirement on Thursday as Argentina defeated Uruguay to take control of South America’s 2018 World Cup qualifying race.

Messi, showing no sign of the groin injury which had placed a question mark against his participation, lashed home the winner on 42 minutes, with his low shot taking a wicked deflection to deceive Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at the near post.

Afterwards Messi paid tribute to the rapturous applause he received throughout.

"I am grateful to the people for the treatment, for the love," Messi said, insisting his retirement announcement in June was genuine as he digested a third defeat in a final with Argentina in as many years.

"I wasn’t trying to cheat anyone, I said what I felt. I feel happy," Messi said.

Argentina’s win leaves them in first place in South America’s marathon round-robin qualifying campaign with 14 points from seven games.

Elsewhere Thursday, there was an impressive win for Brazil over Ecuador in the thin air of Quito, which is situated a dizzying 2,850 metres (9,350 feet) above sea level.

Brazil had never won a qualifying game in the Ecuadoran capital before, but two goals from teenage prodigy Gabriel Jesus and a penalty from Neymar handed the five-time world champions a 3-0 victory.

The win left Brazil in fifth place overall in the standings with 12 points from seven games.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Colombia defeated Venezuela 2-0 in their port city stronghold of Barranquilla.

Goals from Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez and Macnelly Torres secured the points for Colombia, who would have won by more had it not been for two missed penalties in the final 10 minutes.

The win leaves Colombia level with Ecuador and Uruguay on 13 points, just behind leaders Argentina.

Paraguay meanwhile are level on 12 points with Brazil after scoring a stormy 2-1 win over South American champions Chile in Asuncion.

Oscar Romero and Paulo da Silva fired Paraguay 2-0 up after only nine minutes before Arturo Vidal pulled a goal back just before half time.

A fractious second half ended with Chile defender Gary Medel being sent off in the closing stages as Paraguay held on.

In the day’s other game, Bolivia defeated Peru 2-0 in La Paz.

Results from 2018 World Cup South America qualifying matches on Thursday:

Bolivia 2 (Escobar 37, Raldes 87) 

Peru 0

Colombia 2 (Rodriguez 45+2, Torres 82) 

Venezuela 0

Ecuador 0 

Brazil 3 (Neymar 72-pen, Gabriel Jesus 87, 90+2)

Argentina 1 (Messi 42) 

Uruguay 0

Paraguay 2 (Romero 6, Da Silva 9) 

Chile 1 (Vidal 37)