Barcelona star Lionel Messi outdid Real Madrid’s lead player Cristiano Ronaldo in their latest World Cup qualifiers, as the former continued scoring for Argentina against hosts Chile, while the latter yielded a frustrating performance in a shock draw with visitors Northern Ireland. The two stars are pitted against each other for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

Unstoppable Messi fired once in the 2-1 away win over the Chileans on Wednesday at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, the national stadium of Chile, after already netting two goals on October 7 in a crushing 3-0 home victory over Uruguay.

Real Madrid striker Higuain scored the other first-half goal before Felipe Gutierrez restored some pride for the hosts with his injury-time strike.

Twenty eight minutes into the game, a pinpoint ball from midfielder Fernando Gago found Messi, who then steadied himself with a touch of exquisite simplicity before beating goalie Miguel Pinto to score his 31st international goal.

Salt was rubbed into Chile’s wounds three minutes later when Higuain doubled the score as his left-footed effort gave pitiful Pinto no chance.

The visitors' eagerness to find the net led to many chances for both sides, but no more goals were scored during the rest of the first half.

More scoring opportunities were missed after the break as the game took on a rather slow rhythm, with the last minutes going on without much fuss.

Chile pulled one back in added time through substitute Gutierrez, who made it 2-1 with a left-footed shot in the 92nd minute.

Argentina made a giant leap to Brazil 2014 as this victory, the fourth in their five World Cup qualifying games this year, puts them atop the South American group three points clear of Ecuador.

In Europe, Ronaldo’s Portugal were not as successful as the Argentina of his arch-rival Messi, as they are now third in the group level with seven points after unexpectedly drawing with underdogs Northern Ireland at home on Tuesday.

Guests Northern Ireland stunned the hosts to take the lead in the first half, and kept them at bay for most of the game at Estádio Do Dragão Stadium in Porto, where Ronaldo was out of form again after a 0-1 defeat in Russia last Friday.

The clash started with Portugal’s domination, but few real chances were created thanks largely to a strong Northern Irish defensive wall.

Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn shockingly put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute with a nice lob over Rui Patricio following assists from ManU defender Jonny Evans and striker Kyle Lafferty, currently playing for Swiss club FC Sion.

The hosts then rallied violently but failed to send any ball home despite relentless efforts by Nani and Ronaldo, who had his best opportunity in the 70th minute when he bypassed the ranks of Northern Irish midfielders and defenders but was brilliantly blocked by Fulham defender Aaron Hughes. Portugal’s goal came soon afterward through veteran forward Postiga, as he finished low into the net immediately on finding some space in the guests’ area.

The away side then understandably decided to try for a draw, and finally got it, although they never stopped showing ambition on the break wherever possible.

Messi vs. Ronaldo

Messi and Ronaldo are considered the most promising contenders for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or, which is given annually to the player considered to have performed the best in the previous season.

The two produced a superb performance during a 2-2 tie in the first ‘El Clasico’ encounter of this season, between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 7, when each scored two goals.

Ronaldo netted a total of 60 goals, including 46 in La Liga, for Real last season, while Messi’s number topped a record 50 in league games and 73 in all contests for Barca.

Messi won the Pichichi Award, or golden boot, as the top goalscorer, while Ronaldo lifted the La Liga trophy at the end of the season.

The Argentine already grabbed the FIFA Ballon d'Or award in 2010 and 2011, whereas his Portuguese opponent was named the FIFA World Player of the Year 2008.

The FIFA Ballon d'Or started in 2010 after France Football's Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award were merged.