Messi, Higuain power Argentina past Venezuela
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ARGENTINA looks like the surest bet from South America to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil after Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain again led the way in a 3-0 victory on Friday over Venezuela in Buenos Aires.
Higuain gave the Argentines a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute after making the most of a pass from Messi, who then made it 2-0 with a penalty in the 45th. Higuain picked up his second in the 59th, putting the game out of reach - again off a Messi pass.
"It was a very important victory," Higuain said. "We won playing well and put points on the board."
Argentina solidified its lead atop the South America qualifying group with 23 points in 10 matches, four clear of Colombia, six ahead of Ecuador. Venezuela has 12 from 10 matches.
Messi's goal was his 32nd for Argentina, pulling him within two of Diego Maradona for third place behind Gabriel Batistuta (56) and Hernan Crespo (35).
Venezuela, the only country in the South American confederation that has never qualified for the World Cup, was outmatched from the start.
In other results, Colombia defeated Bolivia 5-0 and Uruguay and Paraguay drew 1-1.
In Montevideo, Luis Suarez scored in the 82nd minute to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead, but Edgar Benitez leveled four minutes later for Paraguay.
Uruguay, the defending South American champion, has 13 points in 10 matches. Paraguay has eight points.
Higuain gave the Argentines a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute after making the most of a pass from Messi, who then made it 2-0 with a penalty in the 45th. Higuain picked up his second in the 59th, putting the game out of reach - again off a Messi pass.
"It was a very important victory," Higuain said. "We won playing well and put points on the board."
Argentina solidified its lead atop the South America qualifying group with 23 points in 10 matches, four clear of Colombia, six ahead of Ecuador. Venezuela has 12 from 10 matches.
Messi's goal was his 32nd for Argentina, pulling him within two of Diego Maradona for third place behind Gabriel Batistuta (56) and Hernan Crespo (35).
Venezuela, the only country in the South American confederation that has never qualified for the World Cup, was outmatched from the start.
In other results, Colombia defeated Bolivia 5-0 and Uruguay and Paraguay drew 1-1.
In Montevideo, Luis Suarez scored in the 82nd minute to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead, but Edgar Benitez leveled four minutes later for Paraguay.
Uruguay, the defending South American champion, has 13 points in 10 matches. Paraguay has eight points.
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