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By Julien Pretot
NANTES, France, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Thierry Henry broke Michel Platini's record of 41 goals for France when he scored twice in two minutes to lead his country to a 2-0 win over Lithuania in Euro 2008 qualifying on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Barcelona striker netted his 42nd and 43rd goals from 96 internationals in the 79th and 80th minutes.
Henry broke the deadlock with a shot from inside the box before making it 2-0 after a sharp counter attack.
"It is a huge pleasure (to break Platini's record). I can't find the words, I'm overwhelmed," said Henry.
"We absolutely needed to win and we did it. I think of my father who is not well. It's for him."
The former Arsenal captain won his first cap on Oct. 11, 1997 in a 2-1 friendly win over South Africa in Lens.
Henry was part of the team that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, scoring three goals, and also became a European champion with Les Bleus in the Netherlands two years later.
"We can say we had the chance to play with Zinedine Zidane, now we can say we play with Henry, who has a special place in French soccer history," said goalkeeper Mickael Landreau.
"With him, we always know something is going to happen. He now is among the greats, among the great forwards," said France coach Raymond Domenech.
Born in the outskirts of Paris, Henry started his professional career at Monaco in 1993, winning the French league with the principality team in 1997.
During the 1997/98 winter transfer window he moved to Arsenal where he won two Premier League titles in 2002 and 2004. Henry also added two FA Cups in 2002 and 2003.
He left Arsenal for Barcelona this June for a fee of 24 million euros ($34.04 million).
