Messi magic for Argentines

Messi: Fine form

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Argentina produced a professional if uninspiring performance as they beat Venezuela 2-0 in a World Cup qualifying clash in Maracaibo.

At the hub of most of their best work was the irrepressible Lionel Messi, who added another stunning effort to his collection of fine goals this season.

Venezuela, the only South American side never to have appeared at a World Cup finals, saw Giancarlo Maldonado squander an early chance and thereafter were made to pay.

After just three minutes Argentina took the lead when from Juan Riquelme's free-kick, Diego Milito rose highest to open the scoring.

Venezuela enjoyed concerted periods of possession but their failure to convert was punished minutes before the break, when after receiving a Carlos Tevez pass, Messi bamboozled his marker before slamming his shot beyond Renny Vega.

Messi magic

Esteban Cambiasso hit the post in the second half but there were to be no more goals in what was a comfortable enough victory for the Argentines.

Tevez, who put in a bright display, spoke of how getting the right result was always the priority, in what were trying conditions in Venezuela.

"We managed a very important victory and we are happy because we got the points and that puts us to the top," he said.

"The weather was too hot and that maybe didn't let us play as well as we wanted, but the most important thing was the win."