Lionel Messi scored a second-half goal to hand Argentina a 2-0 friendly win over France on Wednesday.

Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) reacts after scoring against France during their international friendly soccer match at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille February 11, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The victory ensured Diego Maradona of maintaining his perfect start as Argentina coach.

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

Messi's goal seven minutes from time nailed the second victory for Maradona at the helm of national team since last November.

The Barcelona forward slotted the ball past Mandanda following an impressive slalom through the defence.

Maradona 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.

Argentina went ahead in the 41st minute when Aguero lofted the ball for Gutierrez, who fired into Mandanda's right top corner.

Argentina's head coach Diego Maradona reacts after Lionel Messi scored against France during their international friendly soccer match at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille February 11, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Raymond Domenech substituted Anelka with Karim Benzema in the 65th minute but without 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.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 12, 2009)