Argentina moved top of the South American World Cup qualifying standings on Thursday evening, and there were also wins for Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and Bolivia in the seventh round of matches.
Lionel Messi marked his return to the Argentina fold following his short-lived international retirement with the 42nd-minute winner against Uruguay in Mendoza.
The hosts played the entire second half a man down following the dismissal of Paulo Dybala on the stroke of half-time, but held on to the 1-0 scoreline to give coach Edgardo Bauza a winning start to his reign.
Argentina ended the evening on 14 points - one ahead of Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador, and two clear of Brazil and Paraguay.
The top four will qualify automatically for the 2018 World Cup, with the fifth-placed team to face an inter-confederation play-off.
Bauza was not the only new coach celebrating a successful first match at the helm on Thursday, as his Brazil and Paraguay counterparts were also victorious.
Nineteen-year-old Gabriel Jesus, who will join Manchester City from Palmeiras in January, won a penalty and notched a late brace on his full international debut as Tite's Brazil overcame 10-man Ecuador 3-0 in Quito.
Barcelona forward Neymar opened the scoring through a 72nd-minute penalty, and Ecuador defender Juan Carlos Paredes was sent off for two bookable offences four minutes later to further assist the Selecao's cause.
Jesus made the result safe on 87 minutes and then added another for good measure in stoppage time.
New Paraguay boss Francisco Arce, meanwhile, oversaw a 2-1 triumph over Copa America holders Chile.
Goals in the first nine minutes from Oscar Romero and Paulo da Silva set Paraguay on their way in Asuncion.
Arturo Vidal halved the deficit nine minutes before half-time, but the visitors could not find an equaliser and finished the game with 10 men following the stoppage-time dismissal of Gary Medel.
Elsewhere, James Rodriguez opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time as Colombia - despite missing two penalties - defeated Venezuela 2-0 in a match which saw the visitors reduced to nine men.
Wilker Angel saw red 10 minutes from time for a foul which led to a Carlos Bacca spot-kick, which was saved by Venezuela goalkeeper Dani Hernandez but Macnelly Torres slotted home the rebound.
Rolf Feltscher was then also given his marching orders in the 93rd minute in Barranquilla. This time James stepped up, but he too was denied by Hernandez - and there was no follow-up opportunity on this occasion.
Bolivia were also 2-0 winners, Pablo Escobar's free-kick and a Ronaldo Raldes header enough to see off Peru.
Source: PA
