Geneva, Feb 10: In a battle within the battle, Lionel Messi outshone Cristiano Ronaldo to move another step ahead in the duel for the best footballer of their generation.

Messi, the winner of FIFA's World Player of the Year for 2009 and 2010 scored his only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 89th minute. He also set up the other goal for Argentina.

The Argentine striker, had his first shot at goal in the 7th minute and then chipped an angled pass to Di Maria who obliged by guiding his shot over the advancing goalkeeper.

Ronaldo was impressive too, but Messi was far more brilliant in his attacks and was ably supported by other strikers of Argentina. In the end that is what mattered as Argentina won 2-1 and Messi emerged as far better than Ronaldo.

In another international friendly at Madrid, World champions Spain secured a 1-0 win over Colombia. David Silva scored the only goal of the match

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