ARGENTINA DEFEAT URUGUAY

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Lionel Messi made a U-turn on his earlier decision to abstain from football on the international front for his country, after internal Argentine crisis and frustrations made him declare his early retirement.

Messi returned to action against his club teammate Luis Suarez, with newly appointed coach Edgardo Bauza making his debut. The former Argentine coach Gerardo Martino resigned after another failed attempt at lifting the Copa America title against Chile. He complained of internal problems in the Argentine Football Association as well. Bauza visited players, winning them over and stopping them from retiring from football.

Argentina defeated Uruguay 1-0 in the seventh match of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with Messi hitting a deflected goal. Argentina hosted the Uruguayans in Buenos Aires.

Bauza made a few changes to the Copa America squad with Serie A player Gonzalo Higuain being left out. Lucas Pratto was started ahead of the former Napoli man. Juventus forward Paulo Dybala was included in the team’s set-up for the first time. Dybala enjoyed a brilliant last season, and was a subject of a possible transfer this summer, but it didn’t happen.

The Uruguayan team was the more of the usual, aside two changes. Mathias Corujo who plays in Argentina was sent to the middle, along with Egidio Arevalo Rios who plays Mexico football at Chiapas. Gaston Silva replaced Alvaro Pereira.

Argentina were in third position going into the game with 11 points, and if any fans were asking us how to bet smart, we think they should have their money on Argentina to win their group - especially with the odds higher than they would be normally. Uruguay and Ecuador had 13 points each to sit atop the standings.

However, Brazil disgraced Ecuator 3-0, and the 1-0 loss to Argentina sent Uruguay away from the pole position. Argentina are the leaders in the standings with 14 points after the win, but will face Venezuela on September 6. Argentina won the game with ten men as Dybala got marching orders.