Venezuela vs Argentina, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - CONMEBOL
· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONMEBOLArgentina held by Venezuela on rain-soaked pitch as Messi returns
Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in the South America's World Cup qualifiers.
Match Commentary
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 2': Foul by Jon Aramburu (Venezuela).
- 2': Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 4': Delay in match because of an injury José Martínez (Venezuela).
- 4': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 4': Hand ball by Nahuel Ferraresi (Venezuela).
- 5': Foul by Tomás Rincón (Venezuela).
- 5': Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 6': Foul by Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina).
- 6': José Martínez (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 7': Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).
- 7': Yangel Herrera (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 8': Foul by Tomás Rincón (Venezuela).
- 8': Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 9': Attempt saved. Tomás Rincón (Venezuela) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
- 10': Foul by José Martínez (Venezuela).
- 10': Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 10': Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).
- 10': Tomás Rincón (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 11': Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 11': Foul by Salomón Rondón (Venezuela).
- 12': Attempt blocked. Thiago Almada (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Giovani Lo Celso.
- 12': Foul by Alexander González (Venezuela).
- 12': Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 13': Goal! Venezuela 0, Argentina 1. Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a set piece situation.
- 15': Offside, Venezuela. Yeferson Soteldo is caught offside.
- 16': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Germán Pezzella.
- 17': Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Yordan Osorio.
- 19': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Nahuel Molina.
- 20': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Giovani Lo Celso.
- 20': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Nicolás Tagliafico.
- 21': Attempt saved. José Martínez (Venezuela) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
- 22': Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Nahuel Ferraresi.
- 22': Attempt missed. Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Thiago Almada with a cross following a corner.
- 23': Attempt missed. Alexander González (Venezuela) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is too high.
- 24': Foul by Germán Pezzella (Argentina).
- 24': Salomón Rondón (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 26': Attempt blocked. Salomón Rondón (Venezuela) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Yangel Herrera.
- 26': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Germán Pezzella.
- 27': Attempt missed. Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Yordan Osorio following a corner.
- 27': Offside, Venezuela. Salomón Rondón is caught offside.
- 28': Delay in match because of an injury Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina).
- 28': Delay in match because of an injury Tomás Rincón (Venezuela).
- 29': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 29': Attempt saved. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul.
- 30': Foul by Tomás Rincón (Venezuela).
- 30': Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 31': Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Julián Alvarez.
- 32': Foul by José Martínez (Venezuela).
- 32': Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 32': José Martínez (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 35': Foul by Julián Alvarez (Argentina).
- 35': Jon Aramburu (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 37': Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 37': Foul by Yangel Herrera (Venezuela).
- 40': Hand ball by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).
- 40': Attempt saved. Salomón Rondón (Venezuela) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Yeferson Soteldo.
- 41': Offside, Venezuela. Jon Aramburu is caught offside.
- 42': Foul by Salomón Rondón (Venezuela).
- 42': Gerónimo Rulli (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 43': Foul by Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina).
- 43': Nahuel Ferraresi (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 44': Offside, Venezuela. Yangel Herrera is caught offside.
- 45': Foul by Alexander González (Venezuela).
- 45': Thiago Almada (Argentina) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 45'+1': Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.
- 45'+1': Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time.
- 45'+1': Foul by Jon Aramburu (Venezuela).
- 45'+1': Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 45'+2': First Half ends, Venezuela 0, Argentina 1.
- 45': Second Half begins Venezuela 0, Argentina 1.
- 45': Substitution, Argentina. Gonzalo Montiel replaces Thiago Almada.
- 47': Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).
- 47': Yangel Herrera (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 48': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Nicolás Otamendi.
- 48': Attempt saved. Yangel Herrera (Venezuela) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Yeferson Soteldo with a cross.
- 49': Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).
- 49': Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 50': Foul by Nahuel Molina (Argentina).
- 50': Jon Aramburu (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 50': Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 50': Foul by Salomón Rondón (Venezuela).
- 51': Attempt saved. Yangel Herrera (Venezuela) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
- 52': Attempt blocked. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lionel Messi.
- 52': Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Yordan Osorio.
- 57': Foul by Salomón Rondón (Venezuela).
- 57': Germán Pezzella (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 58': Foul by Alexander González (Venezuela).
- 58': Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 59': Substitution, Venezuela. Jhonder Cádiz replaces Tomás Rincón.
- 59': Substitution, Venezuela. Darwin Machís replaces Jefferson Savarino.
- 61': Foul by Yeferson Soteldo (Venezuela).
- 61': Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 63': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Nicolás Tagliafico.
- 64': Attempt blocked. Jhonder Cádiz (Venezuela) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nahuel Ferraresi.
- 65': Attempt blocked. Yeferson Soteldo (Venezuela) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Salomón Rondón.
- 65': Goal! Venezuela 1, Argentina 1. Salomón Rondón (Venezuela) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Yeferson Soteldo with a cross.
- 68': Substitution, Argentina. Leonardo Balerdi replaces Giovani Lo Celso.
- 69': Delay in match because of an injury Darwin Machís (Venezuela).
- 70': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 71': Attempt blocked. José Martínez (Venezuela) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked. Assisted by Jon Aramburu.
- 71': Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Nicolás Otamendi.
- 71': Attempt missed. Jhonder Cádiz (Venezuela) header from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Darwin Machís with a cross following a corner.
- 73': Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul with a through ball.
- 73': Foul by Julián Alvarez (Argentina).
- 73': Jon Aramburu (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 75': Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 75': Foul by Jhonder Cádiz (Venezuela).
- 76': Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Alexander González.
- 78': Delay in match because of an injury Yangel Herrera (Venezuela).
- 79': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 79': Foul by Yangel Herrera (Venezuela).
- 79': Julián Alvarez (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 79': Foul by José Martínez (Venezuela).
- 79': Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 83': Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).
- 83': Yeferson Soteldo (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 84': Attempt blocked. Yeferson Soteldo (Venezuela) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 84': Attempt blocked. Yeferson Soteldo (Venezuela) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 85': Substitution, Argentina. Leandro Paredes replaces Enzo Fernández.
- 85': Substitution, Argentina. Lautaro Martínez replaces Julián Alvarez.
- 86': Offside, Venezuela. Jhonder Cádiz is caught offside.
- 88': Offside, Venezuela. Yeferson Soteldo is caught offside.
- 90': Delay in match (Argentina).
- 90': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 90'+1': Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
- 90'+2': Delay in match because of an injury José Martínez (Venezuela).
- 90'+3': Substitution, Venezuela. Edson Castillo replaces José Martínez because of an injury.
- 90'+4': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 90'+4': Foul by Germán Pezzella (Argentina).
- 90'+4': Salomón Rondón (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 90'+4': Germán Pezzella (Argentina) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90'+5': Attempt blocked. Salomón Rondón (Venezuela) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 90'+6': Second Half ends, Venezuela 1, Argentina 1.
- 0': Match ends, Venezuela 1, Argentina 1.
Statistics
 ARG |
VEN |
|
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Fouls | 20 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Offsides | 6 |
| 4 | Corner Kicks | 8 |
| 5 | Saves | 3 |
| 59.9 | Possession | 40.1 |
| 8 | SHOTS | 16 |
| 4 | ON GOAL | 6 |
| 0.5 | On Target % | 0.4 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
| 275 | Accurate Passes | 138 |
| 382 | Passes | 243 |
| 0.7 | Pass Completion % | 0.6 |
| 2 | Accurate Crosses | 4 |
| 9 | Crosses | 18 |
| 0.2 | Cross % | 0.2 |
| 52 | Long Balls | 79 |
| 17 | Accurate Long Balls | 28 |
| 0.3 | Long Balls % | 0.4 |
| 2 | Blocked Shots | 7 |
| 12 | Effective Tackles | 6 |
| 19 | Tackles | 14 |
| 0.6 | Tackle % | 0.4 |
| 5 | Interceptions | 10 |
| 36 | Effective Clearances | 13 |
| 36 | Clearances | 13 |
Game Information
Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONMEBOL
Venue: Estadio Monumental de Maturín
Location: Maturin, Venezuela
Venue: Estadio Monumental de Maturín
Location: Maturin, Venezuela
WCQ - CONMEBOL Standings
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 12 | +14 | 25 |
| 2 | Uruguay | 12 | +8 | 20 |
| 3 | Ecuador | 12 | +7 | 19 |
| 4 | Colombia | 12 | +5 | 19 |
Line-Ups
Venezuela (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 22 | Rafael Romo (GK) |
| 2 | Nahuel Ferraresi |
| 3 | Yordan Osorio |
| 4 | Jon Aramburu |
| 21 | Alexander González |
| 8 | Tomás Rincón |
| 13 | José Andrés Martínez  |
| 6 | Yangel Herrera |
| 23 | Salomón Rondón |
| 10 | Yeferson Soteldo |
| 7 | Jefferson Savarino |
Argentina (4-1-2-1-2)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 12 | Gerónimo Rulli (GK) |
| 19 | Nicolás Otamendi |
| 6 | Germán Pezzella |
| 8 | Enzo Fernández |
| 3 | Nicolás Tagliafico |
| 16 | Nahuel Molina |
| 15 | Thiago Almada |
| 11 | Giovani Lo Celso |
| 7 | Rodrigo De Paul |
| 10 | Lionel Messi |
| 9 | Julián Álvarez |
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