Sergio Aguero was on the scoresheet and Pablo Zabaleta played the 90 minutes as Argentina became the first South American team to book their place at World Cup 2014.

Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty spot, Angel di Maria and Maximiliano Rodriguez scored the other goals in a 5-2 win for the Albiceleste at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion.

Classified! Now let's all dream together!! Come on Argentina!!

— Sergio Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) September 11, 2013

Ya estamos en el mundial!!!! VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!!

— Pablo Zabaleta (@pablo_zabaleta) September 11, 2013

Aguero’s fifth goal of qualifying was pivotal in the match as Paraguay’s Nunez had levelled Messi’s 12th minute penalty just five minutes later.

He took it well, chesting down a lay-off from Messi before accelerating past the last defender and firing into the far corner.

Argentina can now not be caught at the top of CONMEBOL qualifying by rivals Columbia or Chile, and will be making the short trip to Brazil for the World Cup next summer.

It capped a near-perfect night of qualifiers for City’s representatives, with Samir Nasri, Aleksandar Kolarov and Jesus Navas also getting on the scoresheet for their respective nations.