The Argentine national team flashed the kind of form long expected of such a talent-laden side with a World Cup qualifying masterpiece on Saturday night.
Four different players scored goals, including Lionel Messi and birthday boy Sergio Aguero, to help Argentina post a 4-0 pummeling of Ecuador in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying action in Buenos Aires.
The victory moved Argentina into first place in the qualifying region, and gave Argentina fans plenty of reason to feel excited about their team's prospects.
Real Madrid teammates Gonzalo Higuain and Angel DiMaria also scored for Argentina, which has compiled 10 points from five World Cup qualifiers to lead the group.
Here are some other World Cup qualifying results from Saturday:
VENEZUELA TIES URUGUAY
Uruguay is the defending champion of South America, but continue to struggle to beat Venezuela, and dropped points to them yet again as a Diego Godin own goal helped Venezuela salvage a 1-1 draw in Montevideo.
Uruguay was just five minutes from posting a vital home victory, but Venezuela striker Jose Rondon sent a header at goal that Godin re-directed into his own net.
The tie keeps Venezuela and Uruguay tied on points in South American World Cup qualifying, with eight points apiece.
CHILE TOPS BOLIVIA
Fighting the altitude in La Paz, Chile put together a third straight World Cup qualifying victory, downing 10-man Bolivia, 2-0, on Saturday.
Charles Aranguiz and Arturo Vidal provided the goals to help Chile move within a point of Argentina for first place in South American World Cup qualifying, an impressive feat considering Chile opened qualifying with a pair of losses.
FAVORITES CRUISE IN AFRICAN QUALIFYING
Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal all posted World Cup qualifying victories on Saturday in a day of African qualifying that saw few upsets.
One of the biggest upsets of the weekend saw reigning African Cup of Nations winner Zambia drop a 2-0 decision to Sudan, but for the most part it was a day of victories for Africa's footballing elite. Algeria trounced Rwanda while Tunisia fought back to hold off Ecuatorial Guinea.
———-
What did you think of Saturday's World Cup qualifying action? Impressed with Argentina's display? Starting to see Venezuela as a real contender to qualify out of South America?
Share your thoughts below.