(CNN) -- Argentina's star-studded team went top of South America's 2014 World Cup qualifying group as Lionel Messi inspired a 4-0 thrashing of Ecuador on Saturday. 

With his top Europe-based players to call on, coach Alejandro Sabella saw his side effectively end the match with three goals after only half an hour. 

Sergio Aguero, top scorer for English champions Manchester City last season, broke the deadlock in the 20th minute as he celebrated his 24th birthday in style. 

Strike partner Gonzalo Higuain, who helped Real Madrid to the Spanish title, doubled the lead nine minutes later. 

Barcelona's three-time world player of the year Messi made it 3-0 two minutes later to continue his unbelievable scoring form, having netted 73 times for the Spanish club in the recently-completed 2011-12 campaign. 

Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria wrapped up the scoring with 15 minutes to play as Argentina moved up to 10 points from five games, just ahead of Chile. 

Messi was key to the victory, which came ahead of next Saturday's friendly against Brazil in the United States. The 2014 hosts lost 2-0 to Mexico in a friendly in Texas on Sunday. 

He combined with Di Maria to set up Aguero's opener and then linking with Higuain for his own goal before also setting up the final effort. 

Chile moved onto nine points from five matches with a 2-0 win over bottom team Bolivia, who had Luis Gutierrez sent off in the second half. 

Midfielder Charles Aranguiz scored against the run of play just before halftime in La Paz, then Gutierrez saw red for a foul on Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez before Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal wrapped it up with seven minutes to play. 
Who was Manchester City's top scorer?
How far into the game did he score?
What was notable about that particular day?
How old was he?
Who doubled the score?
How long after Aguero's goal did he make his?
On what day did the game take place?
Who was the coach?
Who scored after Aguero and Higuain?
How much later?
What was the score then?
How many goals did Messi make in the 2011-2012 campaign?
Who won the game between Chile and Bolivia?
Which team is barely ahead of Chile?
And how many points have they scored in a handful of games?
Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero, top scorer for English champions Manchester City
20th minute
broke the deadlock in the 20th minute
it was his birthday
celebrated his 24th birthday
24
 24th birthday
Gonzalo Higuain
Strike partner Gonzalo Higuain
nine minutes later
doubled the lead nine minutes later
Saturday
 on Saturday
Alejandro Sabella
 coach Alejandro Sabella
Messi
Barcelona's three-time world player of the year Messi made it 3-0 two minutes later
two minutes
two minutes later
3-0
Messi made it 3-0
73
netted 73 times
Chile
Chile moved onto nine points from five matches with a 2-0 win over bottom team Bolivia
Argentina
Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria wrapped up the scoring with 15 minutes to play as Argentina moved up to 10 points from five games, just ahead of Chile. 
10
a moved up to 10 points from five games