Spain crush Belarus, Messi double keeps Argentina on top

Spanish forward Pedro Rodriguez scored a hat-trick as Spain made it two wins from two World Cup qualifying matches with a thumping 4-0 victory over Belarus in Minsk on Friday evening.

Left back Jordi Alba got Spain rolling 12 minutes in from a pass by Pedro, who then doubled the visitors' lead at Dinamo stadium in the 21st minute. Then Pedro added two more goals in the 69th and 72nd to seal the comfortable win.

Lionel Messi scored two second-half goals as Argentina beat Uruguay 3-0 on Friday to return to the top of the South American zone World Cup 2014 qualifying.

After a goalless first half at Estadio Malvinas in Mendoza, Messi sparked the home side by running onto Angel Di Maria's precise 65th-minute pass and sliding the ball past goalkeeper Fernando Mulsera.

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his goal

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero made it 2-0 after another Di Maria cross before Messi scored his second by firing a free-kick under the Uruguay wall 11 minutes from time.

Uruguay's star attacking trio of Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani all started but only the latter managed to offer any danger to Argentina's defence.

"They came here with the intention to defend and hit us on the fast break with their three strikers," Messi said after the match.

"The most important thing is that we won and that we also played well as a team."