The win helped Alfio Basile to move up to second in the qualifying group, one point behind leaders Paraguay who meet Colombia in Bogota later on Saturday.

The home side took control early on, racing out to a quick two-goal lead.

The opening goal arrived after only six minutes when a Martin Caceres clearance hit Paraguayan referee Carlos Torres and went straight to Juan Roman Riquelme who sent the ball towards the far post for Lionel Messi to head the Argentinians ahead.

Seven minutes later, Esteban Cambiasso met a cross by Carlos Tevez with a fine volley that came back off the right post. But Sergio Aguero was on hand to put the rebound past Uruguayan goalkeeper Juan Castillo.

The hosts could have extended their lead shortly afterwards when Messi was set up at the near post by Esteban Cambiasso but put his attempt wide.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Uruguay pulled a goal back when Diego Lugano turned in a cross by Luis Suarez.

Tevez could have extended Argentina's advantage five minutes into the second half but his shot was well saved by Castillo while a long range effort by Javier Mascherano was easily stopped by the Uruguayan keeper.

Uruguay began to take control as the half developed, putting plenty of pressure on the Argentina goal but they were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo and his well marshalled defence.

"They were only seeking to disrupt and to commit fouls. We wanted to play football and therefore we were deserved winners," said Messi afterwards.

Argentina moved up to 16 points and will resume their qualifying campaign on Wednesday in Santiago against a Chile side coached by former Argentina national boss Marcelo Bielsa.

Uruguay, who are fifth with 12 points, will travel to high-altitude La Paz to face Bolivia, who claimed a convincing 3-0 win over Peru earlier on Saturday.