RIO DE JANEIRO: Argentina, helped by a majestic Juan Roman Riquelme performance, maintained its perfect record in the World Cup qualifiers on Saturday while Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez quit after a 5-1 loss to Paraguay.

Riquelme scored two second- half goals, including an exquisite free kick, in a 3-0 win over Bolivia, which left Argentina with nine points from three games in the South American group.

Ecuador's chances of a third successive appearance at the finals already look slim after it followed up last month's 5-0 loss in Brazil with another heavy defeat.