All Whites' Messi dream stays alive as Argentina remain fifth in South America WCQ

There is still three games to go, but Argentina remain in the position which would see them face the All Whites in Wellington in November.

The top four teams at the end of CONMEBOL's (South America) World Cup Qualifiers automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The fifth-placed team has to face the winner of the Oceania final between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands clash, which takes place over two legs on Friday in Auckland and Tuesday in Honiara.

With the All Whites almost unbackable favourites to make it through, a lot of attention has come on who they might face in November's Intercontinental Playoff. 

If things stay as they are now, that would be Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and their Argentina team-mates.

That was after they were held to a 0-0 draw against Uruguay on Friday afternoon (NZ time).

It kept them in fifth place after 15 of the 18 games, level on points with Chile, but behind by one on goal difference. Uruguay, who have now gone six games without a win, moved to third with the draw, one point ahead of those two teams.

Chile, who made it to the final of the Confederations Cup in June, were rocked by a 3-0 loss at home to Paraguay. Arturo Vidal scored an own goal in the first half, before Victor Caceres and Richard Ortiz scored to earn Paraguay a vital three points. It moved them to 21, two behind both Argentina and Chile.

The news was not so good for Ecuador, who lost 2-0 to Brazil thanks to goals from Paulinho and Phillipe Coutinho. That saw them remain on 20 points, so they're not out of it by any stretch.

Colombia were also left to rue missing a golden chance to pull away from the chasing pack. They drew 0-0 away to last-placed Venezuela, a result which saw them move to 25 points.

The final game on Friday saw Peru beat Bolivia 2-1. That moved them to 21 points, meaning there was just four points between second and seventh. 

There are still a lot of things which need to happen before Messi is booking a flight to New Zealand, with Argentina about as much chance of finishing fifth as any of the other six teams in the mix.

They play Venezuela at home on Wednesday (NZ time), before finishing their qualifiers against Peru (home) and Ecuador (away).

Venezuela should be an easy three points playing at home, but both Peru and Ecuador will pose difficult challenges.

The teams above them would appear to have much harder fixtures, including matches where they face each other. 

South America World Cup Qualifying standings (after 15 of 18 games):

Brazil 36 (qualified)
Colombia 25
Uruguay 24
Chile 23
Argentina 23
Paraguay 21
Peru 21
Ecuador 20
Bolivia 10
Venezuela 7