Lionel Messi 'happy with the victory' as Argentina breeze past Peru in World Cup qualifier - in pictures

Nicolas Gonzalez and Lautaro Martinez strikes secure third consecutive away win for Argentina

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during the closed-door 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match between Peru and Argentina at the National Stadium in Lima. Reuters

Argentina's Lionel Messi in action. Reuters

Peru's Horacio Calcaterra, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi vie for the ball. AFP

Peru's Christian Cueva, left, is challenged by Argentina's Lionel Messi. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi strikes the ball. AFP

Peru's Miguel Trauco, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi vie for the ball. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi eyes the ball. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts. Reuters

Lionel Messi of Argentina fights for the ball with Pedro Aquino of Peru. Getty Images

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after winning a match. Getty Images

Argentina scored twice in the first half and were unfortunate not to score more in a dominant second as they comfortably beat Peru 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Lima on Tuesday.

Nicolas Gonzalez put the visitors ahead with an angled shot in 17 minutes following incisive work from Giovani Lo Ceslo on the left flank and then Lautaro Martinez doubled their lead 11 minutes later when he ran on to a superb pass from Leandro Paredes and rounded the keeper to slot home.

"From the very start we played a great game, the goals came and we created lots of chances," said captain Lionel Messi.

"Happy with the victory, we needed it after the game we played the other day," he added in reference to their 1-1 draw at home to Paraguay last week.

The win extended Argentina's unbeaten run to 11 games and means they stay second in the 10-team South American qualifying group for Qatar 2022, two points behind leaders Brazil.

Argentina's next two qualifiers are in March, at home to Uruguay and away to Brazil, the only side in the group to have won all four of their matches so far.

The top four teams in the 10-team South American group qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 and the fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff.