Chile 1-2 Argentina: Lionel Messi returns as Angel Di Maria and Gabriel Mercado score

Argentina came from behind to win 2-1 in Chile and keep their World Cup qualifying bid on track.

Trailing to Felipe Gutierrez's 10th-minute goal, Argentina hit back before half-time through Angel Di Maria and Gabriel Mercado.

The win took Gerardo Martino's side - who had been without Messi for their first four qualifiers due to injury - into the fourth automatic qualifying place for Russia 2018, pending Brazil's result against Uruguay on Friday night.

Chile lost Matias Fernandez to an apparent groin injury only seven minutes in but took the lead shortly afterwards.

Fabian Orellana swung over a corner from the right wing and Gutierrez got up above the visiting defence to head home and send the crowd at Santiago's Estadio Nacional wild.

The lead lasted less than 10 minutes, though, as Sergio Aguero set up Di Maria to curl home a fine equaliser.

And just five minutes later, Argentina were in front as a free-kick was not properly cleared and Messi set up defender Mercado to finish on the turn.

The second half was an end-to-end affair as Chile sought an equaliser while Argentina tried to kill the game off.

Visiting keeper Sergio Romero saved from Fabian Orellana before Aguero went close at the other end with a powerful effort.

Chile substitutes Mauricio Pinilla and Francisco Silva both sent shots off target in a six-minute spell, though in between times Gonzalo Higuain had a shot blocked by Silva.

Chile's attempted fightback petered out in the closing stages, though, and Argentina could have extended their winning margin but Di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi both missed the target.

Defeat leaves Chile sixth in the group, two points behind their opponents and one behind Brazil.

Elsewhere, leaders Ecuador needed a last-minute equaliser from Angel Mena to preserve their unbeaten record in a 2-2 draw with Paraguay.

West Ham striker Enner Valencia put La Tri ahead but Dario Lezcano scored either side of half-time to give third-placed Paraguay the lead.

Mena salvaged a draw and though Ecuador dropped points for the first time in the qualifying campaign, they will end this round of fixtures top of the standings even if second-placed Uruguay beat Brazil on Friday night.

There was also late drama in La Paz, where Colombia beat hosts Bolivia 3-2.

James Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca put the visitors two up in the first half but Juan Carlos Arce's penalty and Alejandro Chumacero's goal drew Bolivia level - only for Edwin Cardon to score a last-minute winner.

And Peru also left it late to earn a 2-2 draw with winless Venezuela.

La Vinotinto, rock-bottom of the standings, led 2-0 by the hour mark as Mikel Villanueva added to Romulo Otero's penalty.

But Paolo Guerrero pulled one back before Raul Ruidiaz scored a last-minute equaliser.