They have 16 points, five behind Brazil, four adrift of Uruguay and one short of Ecuador and Colombia with eight matches to go.
Paraguay are one point behind and Chile two, in a tight group of seven teams vying for the four qualifying places for the Russia finals. The fifth-place playoff berth is currently occupied by Argentina.
Sergio Aguero, in good form for Manchester City, embodies Argentina's malaise, missing a penalty that would have levelled the score on Tuesday and apparently uncomfortable in a withdrawn attacking role behind Gonzalo Higuain.
However, coach Edgardo Bauza, who inherited the team from Gerardo Martino and started out with a 1-0 home win over Uruguay in Messi's last qualifier on September 1, said he had faith in his players.
'This squad has shown me they have a lot of desire. We must keep working within the squad we have (and) see which players are in the best shape,' Bauza said.
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