Argentina-France: Maradona's Team Shuts Out Les Bleus, 2-0

For the second consecutive match, France was shut out by a South American team.

This time around it was Argentina who did the damage, defeating Les Bleus 2-0 at a Friendly in Marseille. 

Goals from Jonas Gutierrez just before the half, and Lionel Messi just before the end, were enough to propel Argentina to victory. 

After drawing 0-0 with Uruguay at the Stade de France in November, France's goal-scoring woes continued Wednesday as they were shutout for the second consecutive game.

Throughout the game, however, France was not short on opportunities. They started the game very lively, as early on Thierry Henry fired a shot high, and a little later Nikolas Anelka was unable to convert a wonderful cross from Frank Ribery, all in the first ten minutes of the match. 

Argentina took a little longer to get into the match, but when they did, they were most impressive, with star Lionel Messi leading the charge. 

Messi put on a wonderful dribbling display in the first half and may have gotten on the score sheet earlier if not for great defending by William Gallas on the French back end. 

Les Bleus, however, kept coming, as Anelka had chance in the box and Ribery created his share of opportunities as well. Great goalkeeping from Juan Pablo Carrizo prevented the French from getting on the board, as he stopped Anelka in close as well a long range shot from Ribery. 

Gutierrez broke the deadlock four minutes from the interval as he fired a drive through the hands of Steve Mananda to put the Argentines up 1-0. 

France did not seem discouraged, and started the second half well. They were unlucky to not get an equaliser early when Phillipe Mexes headed Ribery's corner just over the bar six minutes into the second half. 

A great run from defender Sagna later was all for not, as his cross was not met by Henry or Anelka.  Anelka was eventually replaced by Karim Benzema, who did not fare any better in his time on the field. 

Maradona made a critical switch a little bit later ,putting in Carlos Tevez. The move payed dividens late in the match as he put through Messi on a wonderful flick, which Messi accelerated into the box and drove a power shot past a helpless Mananda in the French goal.

After the match, despite some early rust, Maradona was more than happy with his team's performance, "My lads played really well," Maradona told French television."

"I think this group are (playing) at a very high level. After 20 minutes they found their feet, getting a good grip on possession which enabled us to develop our game."

Domenech, on the other side, while not disappointed, admitted they lacked a little punch.

"It was a good match. The players will have picked up some experience and that's what counts for us along with qualification for the World Cup."

"We lacked a little conviction and effectiveness up front but I think this team has a fine future ahead of it," Domenech insisted, while noting the need to "iron out a few imperfections."

Let's hope for the sake of French fans everywhere that they did learn something. In the coming months they face a critical stretch of games with a home and home against Lithuania March 28 and Apr. 1. 

Those games are critical, as France sits in third place in their World Cup qualifying group. They hold four points, which is five points behind leaders Serbia and Lithuania. 

Anything less than two wins in those games will be a disappointment, and could very well spell the end for coach Raymond Domenech.