FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another in Argentina's 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast at the Olympics yesterday, when three players embroiled in a club versus country court action were finally given permission to remain in Beijing despite a ruling in favour of their European employers.

Diego and Rafinha helped Brazil to a 1-0 win over Belgium.

FC Barcelona and German clubs Werder Bremen and Schalke, where Diego and Rafinha are contracted, won a Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) decision that clubs should not be forced to make players eligible for the Olympic tournament. Though the CAS ruled in favour of the European clubs, all three ultimately allowed their players to suit up for the Beijing Games.

In other matches, Nigeria held gold-medal contender Netherlands to a scoreless draw, Italy beat Honduras 3-0, Slobodan Rajkovic equalised with a header from a corner in the 78th minute as Serbia rallied to draw 1-1 with Australia and Stuart Holden ended the United States' three-game scoring drought with a goal in the 47th minute as the Americans beat Japan 1-0 at Tianjin.

Midfielder George Mandjeck scored nine minutes before full time as Cameroon rallied for a 1-1 draw against South Korea in Group D. South Korea's Park Chu-young found the net first in the 68th at Qinhuangdao with a low spinning shot in a physical game.

Messi was included in the Argentina line-up before his Spanish club even gave the 21-year-old permission to play. The attacking winger opened for 2004 champions in the 43rd minute before Sekou Cisse equalised with a powerful header in the 52nd.

But Messi's shot led to a winner in the 85th, Lautaro Acosta turning the ball home after the Barcelona star's shot had been blocked by the goalkeeper.

"Messi had a fantastic game just like every other player," coach Sergio Batista said. "He has fantastic pace and he had prepared himself for this game very well along with his teammates and, after a lot of effort, he finally adapted to the (hot) weather so all our efforts in him have paid off."

Hernanes scored in the 79th minute to put Brazil top of Group C although coach Dunga admitted his line-up had difficulties getting past Belgium's defensive scheme.

Ronaldinho, Diego, Alexandre Pato and the rest of Brazilian stars were kept in check by the Belgians during most of the match until defender Vincent Kompany was ejected in the 72nd after receiving a second yellow card.