Messi and Ronaldo Watch: Messi Leads Argentina to World Cup Qualifying Win
More than a week has passed since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo turned El Clasico into the latest, greatest stage for their personal duel.
So what have the two been up to during international week?
Both superstars joined up with their international teammates for World Cup 2014 qualifiers over the weekend, and both have another match scheduled this week before returning to their clubs.
Keep reading for the latest updates on world football's two biggest superstars.
Lionel Messi Double Lifts Argentina in Qualifying
1 of 4Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina beat Uruguay, 3-0, in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Friday.
The home victory put Argentina atop the South American table with 17 points through eight matches, one point ahead of Ecuador and Colombia. The top four teams qualify automatically for the 2014 World Cup, with the fifth-placed team entering a playoff against a nation from Asia.
Messi opened the scoring in the 65th minute by finishing Angel Di Maria's shot/cross. Sergio Aguero made it 2-0 in the 74th minute, and Messi finished off the victory five minutes later with his second goal, a free kick under Uruguay's wall.
Highlights from the match can be viewed in the video at left. Messi's individual highlights can be seen here.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal Blanked by Russia
2 of 4Russia defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal 1-0 on Friday in a UEFA Group F World Cup qualifying match in Moscow.
The victory sent Russia to the top of the Group A table with nine points from three matches. Portugal are now second with six points.
The winner of each UEFA group qualifies automatically for the 2014 World Cup; the eight best runners-up will enter the playoffs for four more berths.
Ronaldo started the match in Moscow and played the full 90 minutes. His individual highlights can be viewed in the video at left.
Alexander Kerzhakov scored the winner for Russia in the sixth minute. The goal can be seen here.
Up Next: Qualifying
3 of 4Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will host Northern Ireland on Tuesday in another UEFA qualifying match. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. ET.
Lionel Messi and Argentina will play at Chile on Tuesday in a CONMEBOL qualifying match. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
Up Next: Club Schedules
4 of 4Lionel Messi and Barcelona resume their league schedule on Saturday at Deportivo La Coruña. Following that, Barcelona host Celtic in a UEFA Champions League group-stage match on Oct. 23.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid resume their La Liga schedule on Saturday at home to Celta Vigo. Following that, Real Madrid visit German champions Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Oct. 24.
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