Messi, Falcao and Caicedo guided their respective national teams to victory in Friday's round of South American World Cup qualifying.
Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador took a giant step closer towards the 2014 World Cup after obtaining important victories in their respective South American World Cup qualifiers on Friday.
The same could not be said for Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile, who suffered disappointing away defeats against much superior rivals.
Meanwhile, the only draw of the round came in the game between general misfits Bolivia and Peru.
Venezuela, the only South American team to have never qualified for the World Cup, didn't participate in round eight, due to a bye.
Argentina lead the nine-team ladder, with 17 points from eight games, and are followed by Colombia and Ecuador, both with 16.
Bolivia came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against Peru in the thin air of La Paz.
Both teams were in desperate need to rack up the three points, due to so far disappointing qualifying campaigns, but had no choice but to settle for a point each.
Juan Carlos Marino put Peru ahead in the 21st minute when he powered home a spectacular 30-metre drive, but the hosts drew the game level in the 51st minute through Alejandro Chumacero.
Ecuador boosted their chances of returning to the World Cup after missing out on South Africa 2010, with a comeback victory over a difficult Chile in Quito.
Chile took the lead in the 24th minute, with an own goal from Ecuador defender Juan Carlos Paredes, but Felipe Caicedo turned the game in Ecuador's favour with goals in the 33rd and 56th minutes.
Segundo Castillo sealed the victory for the hosts in second half injury-time.
Radamel Falcao Garcia scored two superb second half goals to lead Colombia to a precious 2-0 victory over Paraguay in Barranquilla.
The Atletico Madrid star tormented the visiting defence right throughout the match, and assured Colombia of the three points with strikes in the 51st and 89th minutes.
Colombia are on track to reach their first World Cup finals since 1998 under the guidance of former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman.
Lionel Messi scored twice and Sergio Aguero scored the other as Argentina thumped Uruguay 3-0 in the much-hyped River Plate derby in Mendoza.
After an even first half, where both teams created opportunities to get in front, Messi came to life in the second and put Los Albicelestes ahead in the 66th minute, when he slid the ball past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera from close range.
Nine minutes later, Aguero took advantage of slack marking from the Uruguay defence, who had lost captain Diego Lugano to injury right before Messi's goal, to add Argentina's second.
Messi, who was by far the best player on the field, sealed the hosts a memorable victory with a well-placed free-kick ten minutes from the full-time whistle.
The same could not be said for Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile, who suffered disappointing away defeats against much superior rivals.
Meanwhile, the only draw of the round came in the game between general misfits Bolivia and Peru.
Venezuela, the only South American team to have never qualified for the World Cup, didn't participate in round eight, due to a bye.
Argentina lead the nine-team ladder, with 17 points from eight games, and are followed by Colombia and Ecuador, both with 16.
Bolivia came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against Peru in the thin air of La Paz.
Both teams were in desperate need to rack up the three points, due to so far disappointing qualifying campaigns, but had no choice but to settle for a point each.
Juan Carlos Marino put Peru ahead in the 21st minute when he powered home a spectacular 30-metre drive, but the hosts drew the game level in the 51st minute through Alejandro Chumacero.
Ecuador boosted their chances of returning to the World Cup after missing out on South Africa 2010, with a comeback victory over a difficult Chile in Quito.
Chile took the lead in the 24th minute, with an own goal from Ecuador defender Juan Carlos Paredes, but Felipe Caicedo turned the game in Ecuador's favour with goals in the 33rd and 56th minutes.
Segundo Castillo sealed the victory for the hosts in second half injury-time.
Radamel Falcao Garcia scored two superb second half goals to lead Colombia to a precious 2-0 victory over Paraguay in Barranquilla.
The Atletico Madrid star tormented the visiting defence right throughout the match, and assured Colombia of the three points with strikes in the 51st and 89th minutes.
Colombia are on track to reach their first World Cup finals since 1998 under the guidance of former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman.
Lionel Messi scored twice and Sergio Aguero scored the other as Argentina thumped Uruguay 3-0 in the much-hyped River Plate derby in Mendoza.
After an even first half, where both teams created opportunities to get in front, Messi came to life in the second and put Los Albicelestes ahead in the 66th minute, when he slid the ball past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera from close range.
Nine minutes later, Aguero took advantage of slack marking from the Uruguay defence, who had lost captain Diego Lugano to injury right before Messi's goal, to add Argentina's second.
Messi, who was by far the best player on the field, sealed the hosts a memorable victory with a well-placed free-kick ten minutes from the full-time whistle.
