Argentina’s talisman, Lionel Messi, once again came to the for his country in a crunch FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chile on Thursday, converting a 16th minute penalty to see the Allbiceleste run out 1-0 winners and move up to third in the South American zone in the process.

Sergio Aguero came into the side for the injured Paulo Dybala and with Angel Di Maria, Messi and Gonzalo Higuain all starting as well, it looked like the home side would simply shootout their opponents on the night.

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It wasn’t to be as the game turned out to be a low-scoring one and after a nervy opening, the hosts took the lead via a spot-kick which was awarded when Angel di Maria was tripped in the penalty area. Messi stepped up and sent ex-Barcelona teammate Claudio Bravo the wrong way to go someway towards assuaging the pain of their heartbreakingg 2015 Copa America final loss to Chile.

Chile had the likes of Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez on the pitch but it was all one-way traffic at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, with the hosts guilty of missing a few gilt-edged chances in the first half.

Nicolas Otamendi had a perfect opportunity to double his side’s lead a minute before half-time but after a deflection from a di Maria free kick had fell his way with the goal at his mercy but he somehow managed to lift his shot over the bar.

While on paper Argentina had the edge in attack, without the mercurial Dybala they seemed to be missing a spark and Chile almost made them pay in the 64th minute when Sanchez’s free kick cannoned off the post with Sergio Romero stranded in no-man’s land.

Chile started to apply pressure as they seemed to equalise and Sanchez got another shot at a free kick in the 77th minute but this time it went horribly over and after that the hosts managed to hold out for a vital win.

Sanchez and co slip out of the qualifying spots into 6th place with the loss but the fact remains that barring first-placed Brazil, the gap between the teams isn't much as Argentina in third place are just two points ahead of Chile.

Messi and co. next travel to Boliva on the 28th of March and will be seeking to build on their win over Chile, who host Venezuela on the same day, a game they are expected to win without much fuss.