Argentina lost to Venezuela in October, but there was no chance of the CONMEBOL qualifying leaders repeating that performance in Buenos Aires on Friday. Inspired by Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, the hosts cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory, keeping them four points ahead of the impressive Colombia.
Venezuela were looking in reasonable shape for most of the opening thirty minutes. Daniel Hernandez only had two saves to make during that spell -- one on Lionel Messi and then another when Pablo Zabaleta tried to convert the rebound. Eventually, however, Argentina's class told.
