Lionel Messi, Neymar and James Rodriguez all on target in South America 2018 World Cup qualifying – in pictures

Argentina's Lionel Messi enters the field. Juan Mambromata / AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, vies for the ball with Uruguay's Diego Godin. Nicolas Aguilera / EPA

Argentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Uruguay's Egidio Arevalo Rios, Mathias Corujo and Nicolas Lodeiro. Juan Mabromata / AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi argues with the referee. Marcos Brindicci / Reuters

Argentina's Lionel Messi, second left, celebrates with Angel Di Maria (L) after scoring against Uruguay. Nicolas Aguilera / EPA

Argentina’s Lionel Messi shakes hands with Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani at the end of the match. Marcos Brindicci / Reuters

An Argentina fan who invaded the pitch kneels in front of Argentina's Lionel Messi. Victor R Caivano / AP Photo

Brazil forward Neymar in action against Ecuador at the Olimpico Atahualpa Stadium, Quito, Ecuador. Brazil won the match 3-0 thanks to Neymar's 72nd-minute penalty and two goals from Gabriel Jesus. Guillermo Granja / Reuters

Brazil's Neymar, right, vies for the ball with Ecuador's midfielder Alex Ibarra. Rodrigo Buendia / AFP

Neymar celebrates after converting a 72nd-minute penalty. Guillermo Granja / Reuters

Gabriel Jesus celebrates his goal against Ecuador. Ricardo Mazalan / AP Photo

Venezuela's Wilker Angel, left, vies for the ball with Colombia's James Rodriguez during their South America 2018 World Cup qualifier in Barranquilla, Colombia on September 1, 2016. Colombia won the match 2-0. Luis Acosta / AFP

Colombia’s midfielder James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring against Venezuela. Luis Acosta / AFP

Steve Luckings

A round-up of Thursday’s results, where Argentina overcame Uruguay, Brazil recorded a first win in Ecuador thanks to Gabriel Jesus and Neymar, and James Rodriguez got on the scoresheet in Colombia’s victory over Venezuela.

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Updated: September 02, 2016, 12:00 AM