Messi become handiest referred to as upon through coach Lionel Scaloni to play the final zone of an hour as he made his comeback from knee and hamstring issues that saw him omit Paris Saint-Germain's closing two matches.
Di Maria's chic early end on the Campeon del Siglo stadium in Montevideo became the difference between the perimeters in a suit ruled by way of Uruguay.
The result method Argentina -- who're unbeaten in 26 suits -- will qualify for the World Cup finals if they beat Brazil on Tuesday and any person of Colombia, Chile or Uruguay fail to win.
"This crew has brilliant braveness and whilst you do not play well, you still ought to win," stated Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
"Winning these days changed into a large step. We deserve it because we work very hard."
The defeat left Uruguay in a World Cup play-off spot, in the back of Colombia and Chile in the very last computerized qualification function on purpose distinction.
Nahitan Nandez ought to have given Uruguay a 5th minute lead after Argentina failed to address an extended throw into the container.
A ricochet saw the ball land at Nandez's toes seven yards from goal and whilst Martinez did well to pop out quickly and unfold himself, Nandez's finish become bad and directly at the Aston Villa stopper.
Uruguay were made to pay two mins later as Paulo Dybala robbed a dawdling Joaquin Piquerez simply outside the field and surpassed inside for Di Maria to stroke a wonderful shot into the pinnacle nook.
It was Argentina's best shot at goal in the first 1/2.
