Jonas Gutierrez and the inspirational Lionel Messi scored the goals to make it two wins out of two for Maradona since taking charge of the Albicelestes in November.

Both of those victories have came on European soil - the first was against Scotland at Hampden Park - and Argentina have looked to be dangerous up front while they are yet to concede under the stewardship of the 1986 World Cup-winning captain.

With key World Cup qualifiers coming up against Venezuela and Bolivia over the next couple of months, Maradona is very enthusiastic about his side's future and sees victory over France as a feather in his cap.

"We played at a very high level here and it is very, very good news for Argentina," he said.

"I am very proud of my team. We have progressed a lot, kept the ball well and I am very satisfied compared with our match in Scotland in November.

"Tactically we succeeded in putting in place what we did in training and we have a very good squad - that is immensely satisfying.

"Overall, it is a completely positive assessment and it is all down to the players, they have the last word."

After a bright start, Argentina were put under the cosh somewhat by the pacy French attacking triumvirate of Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry and Franck Ribery.

All three had chances to open the scoring, Anelka missing possibly the best of them when he was put through by Yoann Gourcuff.

But after Gutierrez broke the deadlock in the 41st minute with a low shot that squirmed in at Steve Mandanda's near post, the French were always chasing the game.

Messi continued the form he has been showing for Barcelona this season with some mesmeric runs and he was a constant menace to Les Bleus' backline.

He sealed the win in the 83rd minute with a goal his performance deserved, receiving the ball from Carlos Tevez 50 yards out, turning Bacary Sagna inside out before slamming a low effort past Mandanda.

"Messi was fantastic," Maradona said.

"The ball is part of his body. You could say it is impossible to get it off him."