Argentina's Lionel Messi (right) challenges for the ball with France's Lassana Diarra, during their friendly game at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille yesterday. Argentina won the game 2-0. - file

MARSEILLE, France (AP)

Lionel Messi scored a brilliant solo goal yesterday to cap Argentina's 2-0 win over France and give Diego Maradona a second straight win as national team coach.

Messi was quiet until the 83rd minute, when the Barcelona striker collected the ball outside the penalty area, got through the French defence and beat goalkeeper Steve Mandanda inside his right post.

"Messi played fantastically well; it seems like the ball is glued to his body," Maradona said. "He also worked very hard to close down their defenders and stop the ball coming out."

Jonas Gutierrez scored the opener in the 41st when he beat Mandanda with a low shot inside the left post. The Marseille goalkeeper left a gap and reacted too slowly to the Newcastle player's shot.

Maradona's coaching debut in November saw a tenacious 1-0 win over Scotland, and again his team showed it had grit as well as flair by neutralising France's forwards.

"It is very positive so far over the two matches," Maradona said through an interpreter. "My team is able to hold the ball well and realise that they don't have to create a chance every time they have possession.

"The whole group has a very good level, so there will be a lot of competition for places. That is good, as it means we have enormous potential."

Poor results

Maradona was particularly pleased with the way his players kept their composure after a tricky start.

The latest win gives Maradona a timely boost ahead of World Cup qualifying next month. A string of poor results had led to the hiring of the team's former playmaker as coach following Alfio Basile's resignation in October.

Argentina is in third place in South American qualifying, one point behind Brazil and seven behind Paraguay ahead of its home game against Venezuela on March 28.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka missed France's best chance in the 30th, latching on to Yoann Gourcuff's pass and sprinting through only for goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo to rush off his line quickly and block his shot.

David Beckham equalled England's appearance record for an outfield player but European champions Spain won the friendly 2-0 to extend its winning streak to 29 games.

David Villa and Fernando Llorente scored for Spain, who haven't lost since November 2006 and collected its 19th straight win and its third straight victory over England.