FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.10.2007 10:44

Milito and Messi decisive in Venezuela (0-2)

David Puig

Diego Milito and Lionel Messi scored the goals to give Argentina victory in their World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.

The Albiceleste chalked up a comfortable victory in Maracaibo, that was played in the early hours of Wednesday morning (European time). The match was Argentina's second in the qualifying stages for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa and they maintained their 100 percent start having already beaten CHile at the weekend.

Milito heads home

Venezuela dominated the opening stages of the match and created chances to take the lead, but it was Argentina that showed a clinical touch in front of goal as they scored with their first opportunity. In the 16th minute former Barça midfielder Juan Román Riquelme sent the ball into the area and Gabi Milito nodded the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Going behind clearly affected the Venezuelans and they almost went further behind Messi took aim soon after.

Messi makes amends

The Blaugrana forward did not fail with his next decisive shot as Messi scored three minutes before half-time as he fired home from the left hand side of the area. In the second period Argentina controlled the game, but were unable to add to their tally. Both Messi and Gabi Milito completed the match and came through without any physical problems.