Home » World Cup 2026 Qualifier: Venezuela holds Argentina to 1-1 draw as Messi returned

World Cup 2026 Qualifier: Venezuela holds Argentina to 1-1 draw as Messi returned

Lionel Messi returned to the pitch for Argentina for the first time since his injury at the Copa America 2024 Final; however, the legendary captain and his co. could not beat Venezuela, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier ended in a draw.

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La Albiceleste took the lead in the 13th minute from a sublime Lionel Messi free-kick, which Venezuela custodian Rafael Romo punched away into the path of Nicolas Otamendi, who slotted it home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Ultimately, Salomón Rondón equalized in the 65th minute after a great play by Soteldo.

Argentina 1-1 Venezuela – Game Highlights

Argentina was held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi’s return to international duty in South America’s World Cup qualifiers.

Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July, was brilliant in setting up Otamendi on a drenched pitch to open the scoring 13 minutes after kick-off, which was delayed by half an hour due to heavy rain.

Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, filling in for Emiliano’ Dibu’ Martinez, who is serving a two-match ban for offensive behavior, produced a satisfactory performance to keep out Salomon Rondon’s first-half efforts.

However, the determined Venezuelan striker equalized in the second half with an exceptional header from Yeferson Soteldo’s cross to temporarily move his team to sixth in the standings with 11 points.

Argentina sought a winner after boss Lionel Scaloni introduced Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez five minutes from the time, but the soggy pitch only increased the World Cup winners’ shortcomings.

Messi on the pitch condition

“It was an ugly match. We couldn’t even make two passes in a row, the ball stopped because of the water on the pitch. It is difficult to play in these conditions, the pitch did not help,” Messi told TyC Sports after the game.

“The best conditions for us to play is that there is a good pitch, good weather, that the ball runs. We don’t ask for much, do we?” added defender Rodrigo De Paul.

Argentina remains at the standings with 19 points and will face Bolivia on Tuesday, while Venezuela visits Paraguay.