Washington, Feb 8 : Republican presidential candidate and former US Senator Rick Santorum has won Republican presidential contests in Missouri and Minnesota and appeared headed for a strong showing in Colorado.

Santorum's victory broke Republican candidate Mitt Romney's winning streak and his image as an unstoppable front-runner.

Romney came in second in Missouri, though he didn't do as well in Minnesota, where he was in a race for third with former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich.

Ron Paul placed second in Minnesota and third in Missouri, ABC News reports.

Santorum held an early lead in Colorado with just a few precincts reporting their vote tallies.

Romney, the undisputed front-runner after wins in Florida and in Nevada, had expected strong showings in Minnesota and Colorado.

His campaign had already tried to lower expectations by arguing that no candidate can win them all. (ANI)