SHAH ALAM, July 5: Defending champions Argentina retained their World Youth football title with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay in the All-South American final here today.

All three goals came in the first half of a rousing game, watched by some 65,000 fans at the Shah Alam Stadium

Argentina took charge at the start, but it was Uruguay who claimed the lead in the 15th minute when Pablo Garcia curled in a 30-yard freekick past the diving Argentine goalkeeper Leonardo Franco. Uruguay would have added two more goals in the next five minutes, but Nicolas Olivera shot over the bar from inside the box and Marcelo Zalayeta kicked feebly into Franco before an open goal.

Esteban Cambiasso, regarded alongwith skipper Pablo Aimar as Diego Maradona's successor in the midfield, brought Argentina level in the 25th minute by heading in a corner from the left flank.

Argentina then took the lead three minutes before half-time when Diego Quintana pounced on a pass by Lionel Scaloni and beat Uruguayan goalkeeper Gustavo Munua on the right post.

Uruguay earned a consolation when Nicolas Olivera was named The Player of the Tournament.