Lionel Messi donned Argentina’s iconic sky-blue jersey once again, following their Copa America triumph, but even the presence of the World Cup-winning captain couldn’t secure a victory for his team. In a rain-soaked encounter, Argentina drew 1-1 against Venezuela in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Despite the draw, Argentina continues to top the South American World Cup qualifying standings, edging closer to securing a spot in the tournament’s main event.
The match, played at Venezuela’s Estadio Maturín, was delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain that left the pitch waterlogged. After efforts to drain the water, the game finally kicked off with difficult playing conditions. Argentina took the lead in the 14th minute when Nicolás Otamendi converted a lofted free kick from Messi. Players struggled with the slippery pitch, raising concerns about injuries, though the pace of the game remained high.
The second half saw an improvement in the pitch conditions. Venezuela threatened Argentina’s defense twice within the first five minutes of the half but couldn’t capitalize. Finally, in the 65th minute, Venezuela equalized when Salomón Rondón headed in a cross from the left to level the score.
With 19 points from 9 matches, including 6 wins and 1 draw, Argentina remains at the top of the standings. Their next match is scheduled for October 16 against Bolivia.