Messi strike helps Argentina to 2-0 win over Venezuela

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MARACAIBO, Venezuela, Oct 17 (Reuters): Lionel Messi added another superb goal to his collection to help Argentina beat Venezuela 2-0 away in a World Cup qualifier Tuesday.
Messi struck two minutes before halftime after his Barcelona team mate Gabriel Milito had given Argentina the lead with his first goal for his country on his 30th appearance.
The win gave Argentina, who have won all 15 meetings with Venezuela, maximum points from their first two games in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
Venezuela, the only South American team never to have played at the World Cup, have three points from two games after winning in Ecuador Saturday.
Venezuela striker Giancarlo Maldonado wasted an early chance for the hosts when he fired over the crossbar after Juan Arango's incisive pass split the Argentina defence.
Argentina went ahead three minutes when defender Milito rose to head home Juan Roman Riquelme's free kick.
Riquelme had scored both goals direct from free kicks in Argentina's 2-0 win over Chile Saturday.
Venezuela enjoyed plenty of possession but could not find the final pass and fell further behind two minutes before halftime.