Argentinqa are playing France in a friendly on February 11th. Here's the squad (at the end of the article)....


27/01/2009 21:25
Samuel Rejoins Argentina Squad After Two Year Exodus

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has announced his list of called up players for the upcoming friendly against France in Marseille, and as usual there is no shortage of Serie A players.

Inter defender Walter Samuel makes his return to the Albiceleste after two years, while Lionel Messi also earns his first call up since Maradona's arrival after skipping the friendly against Scotland due to problems between his club Barcelona and the Argentinean FA.

Other Serie A stars included in the squad are Inter captain Javier Zanetti and defender Nicolas Burdisso, Napoli strikers Ezequiel Lavezzi and German Denis, and Lazio goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo, despite his poor recent form. Strikers Diego Milito of Genoa and Mauro Zarate of Lazio, who have impressed this season in Serie A, have been left out.

Samuel's last match for Argentina was the one in September 2006 against Brazil in a friendly in London, at the start of Alfio Basile's second stint as coach.

Here is the complete list of players called up by Maradona:

Goalkeepers: Juan Pablo Carrizo (Lazio), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)
Defenders: Javier Zanetti (Inter), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid), Daniel Díaz (Getafe), Nicolás Burdisso (Inter), Walter Samuel (Inter)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atletico Madrid), Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle), Luis González (Porto)
Strikers: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Lisandro López (Porto), Germán Denis (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Benfica).

Danilo Pochini Goal.com

Here's another article re:Messi...


28/01/2009 09:46
Lionel Messi Must Be Argentina's Leader – Diego Maradona

Lionel Messi must be prepared to play impressively for Argentina whatever his physical condition according to his coach and hero, Diego Maradona.

Diego Maradona has told Lionel Messi that he expects him to give everything for his country and become the leader of the national team by living up to all the expectations that surround him.

The Albicelestes coach believes that the Barcelona star must show the utmost dedication at international level, citing himself as an example to follow.

Messi is currently rated as one of the world's best players, but Maradona wants him to ensure that he steps up yet another level when playing for Argentina and leads the side forward.

"I gave everything for my country as I played when I had to have injections or I was injured," the trainer told reporters.

"I hope to see Leo doing this and a lot more besides for the good of Argentina because we have great expectations of what he can do for the national team.

"It cost me a lot to keep playing. It is a unique opportunity because the players need a leader and I want him to be it. I am proud of the squad that I have."

Maradona feels that some of the desire to play for Argentina has been lacking and is keen to remind the squad what he feels it means to wear the Albicelestes’ colours.

"I want to bring back the old mystique of the shirt, to instil into the players what wearing it really means," he added.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

This seems strange There are too many forwards and lesser mid-fielders...
This is a a real test for Diego ...... Let's see the result .........
I hope there is live telecaste for this match...

This will be an interesting match for Argentina. Do we know if it'll be broadcasted?
I know some of these games are sometimes shown on Eurosport.

I have a site i go to if it's not on tv it will be there i will post the link when the game airs Lin

Fantastic

Thanks for that

PARIS, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Diego Maradona has vowed to pick his strongest side to face France in a friendly in Marseille next week.

Maradona, who took charge of the South American team three months ago, is set to have Barcelona’s Leo Messi in his starting line-up in the Feb. 11 game at the Stade Velodrome.

“Against France, we will have the possibility of gathering all the players I want. Those who were not there for the Scotland game (in November) will join us,” Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup triumph in 1986, told French magazine France Football on Tuesday.

The former Argentina captain added that the France game would be the perfect way to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.

“We will be able to field the team we plan to have against Venezuela in March, and then against Bolivia.

“It’s the ideal team, the one any coach would dream of.”

Argentina have failed to secure a major trophy since lifting the Copa America in 1993 but Maradona said he would make his players believe in themselves.

“I am certain that some coaches have not been able to make the players understand there was something mystical about the Argentina shirt,” he said.

“And it is on that point I want to insist because myself and the staff, we have some finals under our belts.

“Our players don’t play badly, I would even say this team play very well. What has to be corrected is the state of mind, the mental strength, the will to go all the way.

...................

UENOS AIRES, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Estudiantes midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has earned a recall to the Argentina squad for next week’s friendly international in France.

Veron, voted Latin American Player of the Year in 2008 in a respected poll conducted by Uruguayan newspaper El Pais, was one of five local-based players added to the squad by coach Diego Maradona on Tuesday.

The former Lazio, Manchester United and Chelsea player made his last international appearance in the World Cup qualifier at home to Ecuador last June, when he won his 62nd cap.

The 33-year-old’s previous appearance was in the 2007 Copa America final when Argentina suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat against arch-rivals Brazil.

Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme was excluded from the squad, with local media saying he was omitted so that he could play for Boca Juniors in an Argentine championship match against Gimnasia-Jujuy on Sunday evening.

Argentina face France on Feb. 11 in Marseille, their second game since Maradona was surprisingly named coach. In his first outing, Argentina beat Scotland 1-0 away in November.

The foreign-based players were named last week.

Goalkeepers: Juan Pablo Carrizo (Lazio), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders: Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid), Daniel Diaz (Getafe), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Marcos Angeleri (Estudiantes), Emiliano Papa (Velez Sarsfield) Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Luis Gonzalez (Porto), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiates), Daniel Montenegro (Independiente), Cristian Ledesma (San Lorenzo)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Lisandro Lopez (Porto), German Denis (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Benfica) (Reporting by Brian Homewood; Editing by John O’Brien)

Yahoo Sports..


Viva Argies

Come on Argies, give the Frogs a good thrashing!

Cambiasso has never really impressed on La Selección Argentina, yet Gago is on the up and up. Cambiasso has had his chance on the national team, and make things work, Cambiasso plays better for Inter than he does on the National team. That's a good pick and leave by Diego to my money.

If there's no Riquelme (which is hard to imagine) then we definitely need Gago because Mascherano is the real defencive midfielder for us on the pitch. The real doubt is the Left Wing. Di María, Tévez and Jonás are the candidates. I think Di María should be Diego's choice today.

My prefered formation and lineup for today is as under.

------------Romero---------------
Zanetti--Samuel--Demichelis--Heinze
-------Mascherano--Gago--------------
Maxi--------Messi------------ Di María
-------------Agüero----------------

I wont mind Lavezzi in there for Di María though.



However, Diego (i guess) will go like this though (as under)

----------------- Carrizo -----------------
Zanetti - Demichelis - Heinze - Papa
Maxi - Mascherano - Gago - Di María
-------- Messi -------- Agüero --------


I do not want Papa there. Instead i would like Heinze on the left and Samuel in the centre of defence as he is fit and is our premier defender. Lets wait and see.

Fingers crossed for this one.

Aguante Roman!! Aguante Argentina!!!

Un saludo,
Juan.

Maradona says Argentina must keep France trio quiet

Feb 10, 11:05 am EST

By Jean-Francois Rosnoblet

MARSEILLE, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Argentina must neutralise the attacking threat from Franck Ribery, Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry in Wednesday’s friendly against France, said coach Diego Maradona.

“They have the trio Ribery, Anelka and Henry,” Maradona told reporters on Tuesday. “It is fantastic to have players like that in your team.

“We will have to surround them and prevent them from combining with each other. Otherwise we will be in trouble.”

Maradona refused to elaborate on his plans.

“I can’t tell you more about my strategy. (Raymond) Domenech has not unveiled his team so I don’t see why I should,” he said.

The former Argentina playmaker, who took over as coach in November, is delighted with his new job.

“When they gave me the national team they gave me a present,” said Maradona. “I have everything I want with players who are dying for results and want to leave their imprint on history.

“I have done good things and bad things but I have always taken my responsibilities. I have an experience I want to share with my players.”

Maradona was confident about Argentina’s chances in Marseille.

“I know this team (France) very well,” he said. “I have watched them many times on video and we will find a solution.

“Against the World Cup finalists, who we respect, we will go on the pitch and harass them without any complex.”

(Writing by Julien Pretot, editing by Tony Jimenez)

Yahoo

Forza Argiesssssssss

Thanks for the posts Daryl and thanks for the inside info Juan!

I agree with you; I like Heinze as a left back, less as a centre defender. Which leads me to my primary bone of contention: why has Colocinni been dropped??? He has had a pretty average start to his career in England, but in fairness to him he's been playing for the biggest circus of a football club in the world! He is playing for a team in turmoil, as part of a very inexperienced back line, under a clueless manager. In spite of all this he's done better than alot of foreign defenders manage in their first season in British football.

I think this is a poor decision from Diego - everything I've seen from Colo suggests he'll be a good international defender. He's strong, hard, tactically aware, very disciplined and a top professional - he never hides when the going gets tough (as it frequently does when you're playing for Newcastle). Being dropped is just going to knock his confidence.

I am a massive Diego fan but I am a bit disappointed with this decision!

We can't watch it here but according to Sat football it's being shown on....
Digitalb Supersport 3
Sport TV1
Polsat Sport Extra
Sport 1 (Netherlands)
NTV Spor
Al Jazeera Sport +1
SportItalia
TF-1
Meridiano TV

I'm gonna try and see if I can watch it on the internet.

Hehehehe! Daryl, Maradona might be a bit concerned about France's 'trio'... but France are definitely concerned about Messi!!!

11/02/2009 08:03
There’s No Way To Stop Lionel Messi -

Thierry Henry France’s all-time leading goalscorer has lavished praise on his Barcelona team-mate while sending out a word of caution to his own defenders…
Thierry Henry will have the unenviable privilege of playing against Lionel Messi later this evening when France host Argentina in a mouth-watering international friendly at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome.

Having already spent a season and a half with little Lionel at Barcelona, ‘Titi’ knows all about the Argentine, but he has asked Les Bleus' defenders not to bother trying to stop him.

“There is no way to stop Leo. If he has a good day, then there’s really no way of stopping him,” he told reporters on the eve of the game.

Henry was invariably asked to compare his Blaugrana team-mate to the great man himself, Diego Maradona.

He said, “Maradona was incredible. The things that he would do on the pitch were incredible. And if Diego says that Leo will surpass him, it will be unbelievable. It will be something to behold.

“For me, I have two years left in my contract with Barcelona and I’ve been really lucky to have the chance to play with Leo every week.”

Any hopes of Argentine and world football fans seeing Messi don the famous No. 10 jersey with the Albicelestes in his debut under Maradona’s tenure have been dashed after it was revealed that El Mesias will continue to wear the No. 18.
Goal.com

Okay...anyone got any leads on web-sides where one could see it?

Hey guys you can view the match at this link http://www.justin.tv/sportswii1/popout

Thanks Brigie

thanks bri

lol yes katy I agree, messi, aguero n co lol

Thanks Bri
I couln't get it on the one I've used before!

WooooHoooooo! 1=0 {Bouncer]

GREAT!

2-0 Messi!!!

Game over.... Argentina win 2-0!

It was difficult to watch because the picture kept freezing... but I think Gutiérrez scored the 1st goal.
GREAT result!!!

Thanks again for the link Brigie!

A good result for Argentina.

This was fun.

Yeah, it's a really good result, Linda!

Wow... goal.com have wasted no time in putting up their match report!
Here it is....


11/02/2009 22:58
Argentina Defeat France In Competitive Encounter

Goals from Newcastle United’s Jonas Gutierrez and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi gave Argentina an impressive victory over France, who were unable to break through a well-marshalled defence during an impressively brisk match.

France 0-2 Argentina
Diego Maradona continued his winning start as Argentinean coach as the Albiceleste beat France in a highly competitive game in Marseille. A first half strike from Jonas Gutierrez was doubled by Lionel Messi in the closing stages of the match. Les Bleus would certainly enjoy their spells of pressure; however, the Argentine defence was hugely impressive and held out impassively to maintain a clean sheet.

France head coach Raymond Domenech had promised before the game that there would be no quarter given by his men, who were keen to play the fixture as close to a competitive match as possible. Many fouls broke up play, giving the match a disjointed feel at times and, as a result, the two sides failed to create a good number of clear-cut opportunities.

Those chances that did arrive tended to fall towards the French, who would enjoy marginal dominance and territory over the opening 45 minutes. Les Bleus’ first tentative opening came after good work from Franck Ribery, who would give Emiliano Papa a torrid time, saw the Bayern Munich star create room for a cross that was inadequately cleared. Thierry Henry pounced on the ball but his effort was comfortably off target.

Lionel Messi was not be outdone by the home favourite. Fed by Sergio Aguero, he burst into the box with a characteristic turn of speed but his effort was blocked by the giant boot of William Gallas.

After a slight lull in proceedings, France would enjoy a significant spell of pressure. Nicolas Anelka would be superbly denied by the impressive Juan Pablo Carrizo has he attempted to score from just inside the box. Henry was given room to shoot from 25 yards, something he dually did, finding the Argentine goalkeeper’s handling uncertain as he needed two attempts to hold his stinging shot. Ribery’s dancing feet then created space down the right again but his effort was blocked by the custodian.

Messi and Aguero were being well marshalled by the French defence, however, les Bleus had not reckoned on the force of Newcastle United star Jonas Gutierrez. Moments after seriously testing home goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for the first time, the midfielder would win the ball on the left, bustle into the box and strike a crisp shot into the net with his right foot.

Shaken by conceding minutes before the interval, France threatened to fall further behind as Javier Zanetti pushed up to the edge of the box, however, the full-back’s effort was repelled by Mandanda.

Openings were few in the early stages of the second half as France wanted to push on but were quickly shut down by the impressive visiting defence. When Diego Maradona’s men received possession, they frequently looked to counter quickly, with Messi and Aguero particular thorns to the French defenders, however, the tricky strike duo were unable to threaten Mandanda’s goal despite scaring the home defence with their pace and skill.

Waves of French attacks continued to break against the Argentine defensive wall rather peacefully. Philippe Mexes headed a Ribery corner over the bar while the quiet Yoann Gourcuff delivered a dangerous free-kick that was gobbled up solidly by the visiting goalkeeper.

The intensity of the match, for a friendly, was quite remarkable, yet the brilliance of Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano in the Argentine midfield was notable by the few opportunities France had to strike at goal.

Just as the game appeared to be drifting towards a tame conclusion, Messi capped his performance with a goal. Substitute Carlos Teves powered forward, finding the diminutive striker, who spun Bakari Sagna before beating Mandanda with a shot that the goalkeeper will feel he should have done more to repel.

Content to keep possession where possible in the closing stages, this goal effectively finished the match off. The home crowd shouted ‘ole’ with every completed Argentine pass on an evening that a very enjoyable, and very watchable, international friendly had been played out in front of them.

Diego Maradona can be pleased with the manner in which his side won. Defensively they were solid while, in France’s half, they always posed a significant threat to their opposition with the dangerous duo of Messi and Aguero leading the line.

Other than Ribery, who was electric at times in the first half before fading a little in the second, France lacked such inspiration when attacking. With a key World Cup double-header against Lithuania fast approaching in the spring, Domenech will need to find some additional flair from somewhere or else les Bleus’ dreams of South Africa could be in tatters.

FRANCE 0-2 ARGENTINA

0-1 40’ Jonas Gutierrez
0-2 82’ Lionel Messi

France: Mandanda; Sagna, Abidal, Mexes, Gallas; L. Diarra, Toulalan; Ribery, Gourcuff, Henry; Anelka (Benzema, 65’

Yellow Cards: Toulalan 18’, Gallas 38’

Argentina: Carrizo; Zanetti, Papa, Heinze, Demichelis; Mascherano, Gago, Maxi Rodriguez (Angeleri, 81’ , Jonas Gutierrez; Messi, Aguero (Tevez, 81’

Yellow Cards: Maxi Rodriguez 58’

Ok heres another result..

Thanks again bri ..

Good result. I feel tho we can play much much better.

By Julien Pretot

MARSEILLE, France, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Jonas Gutierrez and Lionel Messi scored in each half to maintain Diego Maradona’s perfect start as Argentina coach with a 2-0 win against France in a friendly international on Wednesday.

Newcastle United midfielder Gutierrez collected a Sergio Aguero cross from the right and fired past France keeper Steve Mandanda four minutes before the interval.

Barcelona forward Messi secured victory seven minutes from time when he slotted the ball past Mandanda following an impressive slalom through the defence.

It was Maradona’s second victory in two matches since he took over as Argentina coach last November.

Maradona, whose named was long chanted by the Marseille crowd before kickoff, started his job with a 1-0 win over Scotland in November but he knew World Cup finalists France would be a tougher nut to crack.

Argentine started cautiously in the first half but Gutierrez’s strike gave them the confidence to frustrate France.

The home side were pressing high, with Franck Ribery and Yoann Gourcuff harassing Argentina’s defensive midfielders.

Real Madrid new signing Lassana Diarra, who was paired with Lyon’s Jeremy Toulalan, was in charge of Lionel Messi and he did not let him an inch of space in the opening 15 minutes.

In the 16th, the Barcelona forward, with a sudden burst of speed, pierced in the French defence only for his low drive to be deflected by William Gallas.

Shortly before the half hour, Gourcuff created space for Nicolas Anelka with a defence-splitting pass but the Chelsea striker was denied by Juan Pablo Carrizo, who was on the spot again to block a Ribery shot three minutes later.

However, Argentina went ahead in the 41st minute when Aguero lofted the ball for Gutierrez, who fired from a closed angle into Mandanda’s right top corner.

Raymond Domenech substituted Anelka with Karim Benzema in the 65th minute but to no effect as Gourcuff and Ribery, who were under the tight supervision of Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano, could not feed him the ball.

In the 81st minute, Aguero made room for Carlos Tevez, whose impact was almost immediate as he launched a counter attack from his own half to set up Messi for his team’s second goal.

(Editing by Justin Palmer and Pritha Sarkar)

Yahoo

Congrats to Diego and the team

Good score ... couldn't watch the match though ......
Thanks for the info

Get in there Jonas son!

Gran 2-0 a Francia con ole !!! ... Marseeella, nene.

El Bambino seguro explotó con el golazo de Messi, que debutó con Diego y se lo dedicó a mamá: "Un día muy feliz".

As expected in the absence of Riquelme we played a more counterattacking game than we generally do. It worked though. Jonás had a good game in my opinion.
Heinze and Demichelis were solid. Gago was excellent despite of a couple of poor passes. Maxi had a poor game though but it's okey to me as 7-8 others were
having great game. It's forgivable !!

Argentina player ratings:

Carrizo (6,5)
Zanetti (6)
Demichelis (8)
Heinze (7,5)
Papa (6)
Maxi R. (4)
Mascherano (7)
Gago (9)
Jonás Gutierrez (6,5)
Messi (7)
Agüero (6)

Angeleri (6)
Tévez (7)





Maradona sabe de fútbol y entiende que si ello ocurre sus méritos como seleccionador, en el caso de un resultado positivo, quedarán en un segundo plano. Habla de diversión en un mundillo de presiones porque le entusiasman la pelota y el talento de Messi. Y eso ilusiona.

Un saludo,
Juan.

Gran 2-0 a Francia con ole !!! ... Marseeella, nene.

El Bambino seguro explotó con el golazo de Messi, que debutó con Diego y se lo dedicó a mamá: "Un día muy feliz".

As expected in the absence of Riquelme we played a more counterattacking game than we generally do. It worked though. Jonás had a good game in my opinion. Heinze and Demichelis were solid. Gago was excellent despite of a couple of poor passes. Maxi had a poor game though but it's okey to me as 7-8 others were having great game. It's forgivable !!

Argentina player ratings:

Carrizo (6,5)
Zanetti (6)
Demichelis (8)
Heinze (7,5)
Papa (6)
Maxi R. (4)
Mascherano (7)
Gago (9)
Jonás Gutierrez (6,5)
Messi (7)
Agüero (6)

Angeleri (6)
Tévez (7)





Maradona sabe de fútbol y entiende que si ello ocurre sus méritos como seleccionador, en el caso de un resultado positivo, quedarán en un segundo plano. Habla de diversión en un mundillo de presiones porque le entusiasman la pelota y el talento de Messi. Y eso ilusiona.

Un saludo,
Juan.

Messi Hopes To Transmit His Barca Form To NT



Lionel Messi continued to dazzle football fans all over the world after another sizzling display last night in an international friendly.

The nippy Argentine netted his country’s second goal in the 2-0 triumph over France in Marseille when he breezed past three defenders with ease before finishing with aplomb.

Despite his contribution, he believes that he is still a long way from his best with Los Albicelestes.

“With Argentina, I am still not at the level I am currently with Barcelona, but I hope to continue playing and give my best for the country,” he said during the post-match press conference.

“It was a great game and a very special win because they have a very good team. Now that we have beaten the World Cup runners-up, I believe we have won the recognition we deserve,” he added.

Messi, who received a standing ovation from the Stade Velodrome crowd at the end of the match, revealed some insights to the conversations coach, Diego Maradona had with his charges.

“He did not say anything special to us. He congratulated us all on the victory and he said to us that this is the mentality we must have to continue growing.

“We are all happy with this victory. The most important thing is that Argentina won but there were also moments when we played some good football,” he concluded.

................


Maradona gives Argentina a meaner streak


By Brian Homewood

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Diego Maradona is already making an impact as coach of Argentina, with his team showing a mean streak which appeared to be missing under predecessor Alfio Basile.

Maradona has made motivation and pride key issues since his surprise appointment in October and his presence on the touchline appears to have had a galvanising affect on his players.

Argentina’s uncompromising performance in a sometimes niggly 2-0 win over France in Marseille on Wednesday echoed his much-repeated warning that there is no such thing as a friendly in his book.

“The most noticeable thing was the team has gained confidence and security in defence,” said La Nacion.

While Lionel Messi took the plaudits for scoring Argentina’s stunning second goal, defender Martin Demichelis had a superb game at the back, winning almost everything in the air.

The pairing of Javier Mascherano, given the captaincy after Maradona said he embodied the spirit he wanted to see in the team, and Fernando Gago gave the midfield a robust look.

“I’m very happy with the image the team has left,” Messi told the Argentina Football Association’s website (www.afa.org.ar).

“We played great football at times, we spread it around, we got stuck in, we played football. This is what we must do to keep improving. I’m proud to be in this team.”

Argentina, who had won only once in eight outings before Maradona took over, have triumphed in both games under their new coach without conceding a goal.

Their first competitive match is on March 28 when they host Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier.

The big debate left by Wednesday’s performance is whether there will be room for Juan Roman Riquelme, who has not featured under Maradona because of club commitments.

Basile built his team around the mercurial Boca Juniors playmaker who many see as the last of a dying breed in the increasingly frenzied modern game.

Riquelme’s elegant and unhurried style and his ability to unlock defences with slide-rule passes are widely admired.

But critics say when Riquelme is present the team are forced to revolve around the playmaker and when he has a bad day he drags the rest down with him.

On Wednesday, Argentina played perfectly well without him and bringing him back could be a risk for Maradona.

yahoo sports
.................................................

Maradona hails magnificent Messi
(AFP) Thursday 12 February 2009


Diego Maradona proudly lauded Lionel Messi, the man he says is the best player in the world, after the young Barcelona star scored the killer second goal in the 2-0 win over France in Marseille. "Messi played fantastically. The ball is a part of his body - it is impossible to wrest it from him."

Messi's solo strike eight minutes from the end added to an opener from Jonas Gutierrez shortly before the break cemented Argentina's superiority once they settled into their rhythm.

Maradona praised Messi for also working hard off the ball. "When he has to lend a hand to the team he does that too. He understood we were under the cosh in the opening 20 minutes when the lines were a fair way apart and he had to work hard along with (strike partner Sergio) Aguero.

"Overall, I am very pleased and proud," said the 1986 world champion, who has now won his first two games in charge following November's friendly in Scotland. "The team understood it was important to get a hold of the ball and hang on to it."

fifa.com

...........................

Goal of the day
France 0-2 Argentina
Goal: Lionel Messi 83 (0-2)

Carlos Tevez brought the ball forward and fed Messi 30 metres from the French goal. The Barcelona star then shook off the attentions of two defenders, advanced into the area and unleashed a shot that left goalkeeper Steve Mandanda no chance.



Forza Argies