Argentina v Chile. Pix: mundoalbiceleste.comSANTIAGO: Argentina opened up a three-point lead in South America's World Cup qualifying group after goals from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain gave them a 2-1 victory over Chile in Santiago this morning, reported Reuters.

The Argentines weathered an early storm at Estadio Nacional when Chile could have scored twice before Messi broke into the box, sidestepped a defender and beat goalkeeper Miguel Pinto in the 28th minute.

Three minutes later Higuain came into the box, rounded two defenders and curled a left-foot shot into Pinto's far corner.

Substitute Felipe Gutierrez pulled one back for Chile in stoppage time.

Argentina are three points ahead of second-placed Ecuador with 20 points from nine matches, with Messi and Higuain joint top scorers and Uruguay's Luis Suarez with seven goals each.

- mD