Angel Di Maria fires Argentina to brink of World Cup finals

Lionel Messi starts on bench as Lionel's Scaloni's side snatch important victory

Angel di Maria of Argentina celebrates after scoring the winner against Uruguay in Montevideo. EPA

Angel di Maria of Argentina celebrates after scoring. EPA

Lionel Messi warms up for action. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi (R) and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrates after defeating Uruguay. AFP

Uruguay's Luis Suarez on the ball. AFP

Uruguay's Luis Suarez reacts during the game. AP

Angel Di Maria's strike put Argentina on the verge of qualifying for next year's World Cup in Qatar as Lionel Messi was left on the bench for the 1-0 win away in Uruguay.

Messi was only called upon by coach Lionel Scaloni to play the final quarter of an hour as he made his comeback from knee and hamstring issues that saw him miss Paris Saint-Germain's last two matches.

Di Maria's brilliant finish at the Campeon del Siglo stadium in Montevideo was the difference between the sides in a match dominated by Uruguay.

"Sometimes you just have to win and we managed that," Scaloni said. "Not playing well, certainly, but it still counts."

The result means Argentina - who are unbeaten in 26 matches - will qualify if they beat Brazil on Tuesday and any one of Colombia, Chile or Uruguay fail to win.

"This team has great courage and when you don't play well, you still have to win," said Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

"Winning today was a huge step. We deserve it because we work very hard."

The defeat left Uruguay in a World Cup play-off spot, behind Colombia and Chile in the final two automatic qualification position on goal difference.

Nahitan Nandez should have given Uruguay a fifth minute lead after Argentina failed to deal with a long throw into the box.

A ricochet saw the ball land at Nandez's feet seven yards from goal and while Martinez did well to come out quickly and spread himself, Nandez's finish was poor and straight at the Aston Villa goalkeeper.

Uruguay were made to pay two minutes later as Paulo Dybala robbed a hesitant Joaquin Piquerez just outside the box and passed inside for Di Maria to stroke a shot into the top corner.

Luis Suarez provided Uruguay's main threat and fired a free-kick narrowly over.

On the half hour he hit an instinctive volley against the post before snatching at the rebound with his left foot and putting it wide.

Uruguay were piling on the pressure and Matias Vecino had a chance to restore parity at the end of the first half but shot too close to Martinez.

After the break, Argentina continued to control possession without creating chances, while Uruguay were more dangerous, but without testing Martinez.

Finally with a quarter of an hour to play, Scaloni summoned Messi from the bench but he had little impact on the game.

Uruguay substitute Agustin Alvarez had a gilt edged chance to snatch a draw six minutes from time but his header from five yards landed on top of the net.

Moments later, Martinez let Alvarez's shot squirm between his legs before quickly spinning around to grab the ball behind him before it crossed the line.