Messi inspires Argentina in World Cup qualifying victory Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring Argentina's third goal against Ecuador at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. Lionel Messi continues his incredible season as Argentina win World Cup qualifier The 4-0 win in Buenos Aires puts Argentina top of South American group for 2014 Chile in second place after 2-0 win against bottom nation Bolivia Japan win opening game of final round of Asian group qualifying matches (CNN) -- Argentina's star-studded team went top of South America's 2014 World Cup qualifying group as Lionel Messi inspired a 4-0 thrashing of Ecuador on Saturday. With his top Europe-based players to call on, coach Alejandro Sabella saw his side effectively end the match with three goals after only half an hour. Sergio Aguero, top scorer for English champions Manchester City last season, broke the deadlock in the 20th minute as he celebrated his 24th birthday in style. Strike partner Gonzalo Higuain, who helped Real Madrid to the Spanish title, doubled the lead nine minutes later. Guardiola's long goodbye Barca in his blood Back in the fold The architects of tiki taka The Kings of Europe The joy of six New kid on the block Wizards of Wembley Going, going, gone The King is dead, long live the King Barcelona's three-time world player of the year Messi made it 3-0 two minutes later to continue his unbelievable scoring form, having netted 73 times for the Spanish club in the recently-completed 2011-12 campaign. Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria wrapped up the scoring with 15 minutes to play as Argentina moved up to 10 points from five games, just ahead of Chile. Messi was key to the victory, which came ahead of next Saturday's friendly against 2014 hosts Brazil in the U.S. He combined with Di Maria to set up Aguero's opener and then linking with Higuain for his own goal before also setting up the final effort. Chile moved onto nine points from five matches with a 2-0 win over bottom team Bolivia, who had Luis Gutierrez sent off in the second half. Midfielder Charles Aranguiz scored against the run of play just before halftime in La Paz, then Gutierrez saw red for a foul on Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez before Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal wrapped it up with seven minutes to play. Uruguay had earlier gone top on eight points from four games despite being held 1-1 at home by Venezuela, with striker Diego Forlan's 39th-minute opener canceled out by Salomon Rondon's late goal. In Asian qualifying, Japan started the final round of qualifying with a 3-0 win over Oman in a Group B tie on Sunday. CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda scored in the first half, while Japan-based Ryoichi Maeda doubled the lead after halftime and his blocked shot later allowed Stuttgart striker Shinji Okazaki to seal the victory. May 29, 2012 -- Updated 0930 GMT (1730 HKT) Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola might have walked away from football to take a sabbatical, but he has left a huge legacy after only four years in charge. May 23, 2012 -- Updated 0918 GMT (1718 HKT) Manchester City's English title came at a staggering cost, but fans of the Abu Dhabi-owned team got their money's worth last season. May 22, 2012 -- Updated 1454 GMT (2254 HKT) Bayern Munich might be licking their wounds after defeat to Chelsea, but the German club can find comfort in victory of a different kind. May 18, 2012 -- Updated 1609 GMT (0009 HKT) When Chelsea and Bayern Munich clash in the Champions League final, it will be a meeting of two completely different ownership models. May 29, 2012 -- Updated 1723 GMT (0123 HKT) Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo talks to CNN's Pedro Pinto about his rivalry with Lionel Messi, and his season of extreme highs and lows. May 18, 2012 -- Updated 1710 GMT (0110 HKT) UEFA president Michel Platini tells CNN he thinks Chancellor Angela Merkel will attend the final of Euro 2012 in Ukraine -- if Germany reach it. May 17, 2012 -- Updated 1038 GMT (1838 HKT) To mark 20 seasons of existence, the English Premier League has named its top player, manager, goal, match and team. May 14, 2012 -- Updated 1830 GMT (0230 HKT) As Manchester City's fans spilled onto the pitch to revel in their team's remarkable title win, celebrations also kicked off thousands of miles away. May 17, 2012 -- Updated 0953 GMT (1753 HKT) Sunday saw the curtain fall on Europe's biggest domestic football leagues, with scenes of triumph and despair across the continent. May 11, 2012 -- Updated 0941 GMT (1741 HKT) Many said he only left Barcelona for the money. But Yaya Toure tells CNN he joined Manchester City for one reason -- to make history. May 8, 2012 -- Updated 1510 GMT (2310 HKT) It was supposed to be a symbol of Ukraine's development, but next month's Euro 2012 tournament has become mired in controversy.