Venezuela maintain Argentina to 1-1 draw on Messi’s return

Enzo Fernández of Argentina and Jefferson Savarino of Venezuela battle for the ball in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American qualifier match at Estadio Monumental de Maturin on October 10, 2024 in Maturin, Venezuela.
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Photographs

Argentina had been held to a 1-1 draw towards Venezuela on Thursday (October 11, 2024) in Lionel Messi’s return to worldwide responsibility within the South America’s World Cup qualifiers.

Captain Messi, 37, absolutely recovered from an damage sustained within the Copa America last towards Colombia in July, was sensible in establishing Otamendi on a drenched pitch to open the scoring 13 minutes after kick-off, which was delayed by half an hour as a consequence of heavy rain.

Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, filling in for Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez, who’s serving a two-match ban for offensive behaviour, produced a nice efficiency to maintain out Salomon Rondon’s first-half efforts.

Nonetheless, the decided Venezuelan striker equalised within the second half with an distinctive header from a Yeferson Soteldo’s cross to briefly transfer his workforce to sixth within the standings with 11 factors.

Argentina sought a winner after boss Lionel Scaloni launched Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez 5 minutes from time, however the soggy pitch solely elevated the World Cup winners’ shortcomings.

“It was an unpleasant match. We could not even make two passes in a row, the ball stopped due to the water on the pitch. It’s troublesome to play in these circumstances, the pitch didn’t assist,” Messi advised TyC Sports activities after the sport.

“One of the best circumstances for us to play is that there’s a good pitch, good climate, that the ball runs. We do not ask for a lot, will we?” added defender Rodrigo De Paul.

Argentina stay prime of the standings with 19 factors and can face Bolivia on Tuesday, whereas Venezuela go to Paraguay.