BUENOS AIRES, Oct 10: Argentina scored twice in the final ten minutes for a hard-earned 2-0 win over a stubborn Peru in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Eigthteen-year-old Lionel Messi, given his first start by coach Jose Pekerman, set up the opener when he won a penalty, converted by Juan Roman Riquelme, before defender Luis Guadelupe put through his own goal in injury time.

Already-qualified Argentina remained top of the 10-nation South American World Cup qualifying group with 34 points from 17 games and increased their lead over Brazil to three points.

Argentina are away to Uruguay in their final game on Wednesday while Brazil, who have also qualified and drew 1-1 away to Bolivia earlier in the day, host Venezuela.

Out of contention for a finals berth, Peru stayed ninth with 15 points.

He was sent off after less than two minutes of his debut in a friendly against Hungary in August and was given another nine minutes in last month’s 1-0 qualifying defeat by Paraguay.

Captain Juan Pablo Sorin had Argentina’s two best first-half efforts, both close range headers which were brilliantly saved by Leao Butron.

Peru had another chance in the 73rd minute when Guerrero forced a point-blank save from Roberto Abbondanzieri in a goalmouth scramble.

Two minutes later, Butron made his best save yet when he turned over Hernan Crespo’s goal-bound header.

The Peru keeper’s luck ran out in the 78th minute when he upended Messi to concede a penalty and was shown the red card.

Play was held up for four minutes as Peru protested the decision before Riquelme sent Erick Delgado the wrong way in the 82nd minute.

Argentina added another in injury-time when Guadelupe turned Carlos Tevez’s low cross into his own net.

Brazil defied high altitude and rough play from Bolivia to earn a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Juninho Pernambucano put Brazil ahead with a trademark free kick before substitute Jose Castillo replied for Bolivia after 50 minutes of a match played at 3,600 metres above sea level.

Bolivia peppered the Brazil goal with long-range shots while the visitors tried to slow the game down.

Brazil went ahead in the 25th minute when Juninho’s dipping 30-metre shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced into the net off goalkeeper Carlos Arias.

Bolivia equalised five minutes after the break when Daner Pachi’s long ball forward was headed down by Botero into the path of Castillo, who rifled home from 12 metres.

RESULTS