Football: Argentina back on top as S. America dominate Fifa rankings, S'pore stay at 148th

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring a goal against Bolivia during their World Cup qualifier in Argentina on March 29, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

ZURICH (REUTERS) - Argentina moved top as South America dominated the monthly Fifa rankings on Thursday with five teams, half of the continent's total, in the top 10.

Argentina's World Cup qualifying wins away in Chile and at home to Bolivia dislodged Belgium, who had been leading for the previous five months but dropped to second.

Despite the defeat, Chile climbed to third, an all-time high, with Colombia one place behind them in fourth, Brazil seventh and Uruguay ninth.

The rankings did not make such happy reading for Asia, who had only two teams in the top 50, Iran in 42nd and regional champions Australia in 50th.

Algeria were African's highest-placed team in 33rd, one ahead of Ivory Coast, while 16th-ranked Mexico led the way for Concacaf.

Three-time continental champions Nigeria dropped to 67th after failing to qualify for next year's African Nations Cup.

Completing the top 10 were Germany (5th), Spain (6th), Portugal (8th) and England (10th).

Singapore's ranking was unchanged at 148th after they beat Myanmar 2-1 at home in a friendly but lost 1-2 to Afghanistan in their final World Cup qualifier in Iran.

The Lions are fourth in South-east Asia behind the Philippines (116th), Thailand (119th) and Vietnam (144th).

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