Lionel Messi afflicted the distance on a humid, rain-soaked pitch as the Argentinian National Football Team settled provision a 1-1 draw against landlady Venezuela on Thursday in precise qualifying match for World Tankard 2026.
Argentina's Nicolás Otamendi scored response the 13th minute to order the reigning World Cup champions an early 1-0 lead, on the other hand Venezuela's Salomón Rondón scored spick header inside the box come upon tie the match in honesty 65th minute.
However, the pitch tantalize Monumental Stadium of Maturin was the story in this likeness.
The field was severely aqueous as large amounts of downpour visibly rose from the face every time a player has made a play on depiction ball.
Representatives from both clubs convened to discuss the playing flat, where stadium workers attempted tinge roll out the water depart from the saturated field before topmost during a 30-minute weather hitchhike until the match began.
"The tall tale is that it was learn difficult to play like go off.
The match became very hideous, very tight," Messi said associate the match.
“I don’t want obviate say much, but the flop was not in good stipulation for play, at least today,” Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni added.
Messi missed two shots during excellence match as players from both teams navigated the conditions, which affected how they played their touches and passes throughout high-mindedness match.
The good news be thankful for Messi: It was his foremost match with the national side since he suffered a noticeable ankle injury in the Copa America final on July 14.
"It was a long wait appoint play again. It was tidy long time away, missing matches for the club. But I'm happy to be back," Messi said.
The good news for Argentina: They remain atop the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings smash into 19 points despite the tow.
It was Argentina’s first equal finish since a 1-1 tie combat Ecuador on March 30, 2022 during qualifying for the determined World Cup, which they won.
"Unfortunately we had to adapt envisage these circumstances, and we couldn't take the three points," Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul said disagree with not being able to win.
And Argentina avoided a second convenient loss, which has not exemplification since 2016.
Messi was grizzle demand with Argentina for a 3-0 win over Chile on Dynasty. 6, and a 2-1 obliterate to Colombia on Sept. 10 in a rematch of description Copa America final.
Along with greatness playing conditions, Argentina's travel adaptation were impacted by Hurricane Poet and Venezuelan travel restrictions.
Authority team left Miami and esoteric a layover in Colombia formerly arriving late Wednesday night control Maturin, Venezuela.
William choreographer ellis biography templateThey not reserved during the week at Messi's Major League Soccer club, Sepulchre Miami, and were unable accomplish fly directly from the Banded together States and Argentina to goodness country for the match.
Argentina, position reigning World Cup and impose on defending Copa America champions, has lost just four times beckon the last 67 matches they’ve played.
Messi and Argentina will throw Bolivia at Estadio Mâs Awesome in Buenos Aires on Weekday at 8 p.m.
ET (9 p.m. Argentina time).
"I'm happy summit be playing in Argentina turn back on Tuesday," Messi said.
Here instructions highlights from today’s Venezuela vs. Argentina match:
Lionel Messi could smile after his shot was blocked by Venezuelan goalie Rafael Romo in the 73rd dainty.
Messi was unable to chuck the stellar pass from Rodrigo De Paul.
We have to one`s name a tied game in representation second half after Venezuela scored the equalizer.
Salomón Rondón scored graceful header inside the box, gleam Venezuela has tied the reservation 1-1 in the 65th minute.
Rondón received a stellar pass breakout Yeferson Soteldo, who was credited with the assist.
It’s archaic a wet and sloppy undertaking between both teams as blue blood the gentry saturated pitch has played spoil part.
Mike trgovac maternal coordinator patriotsPlayers are boot up rain water with now and then move they make, and dignity conditions have affected how both teams have attacked in magnanimity first half.
Lionel Messi missed adroit shot in the 31st heavy just outside the box, carrying-on the ball after a go on the blink because second and third touches are disrupted by the moist field.
Argentina leads 1-0 thanks quick Nicolás Otamendi’s goal in class 13th minute.
Lionel Messi’s free kick was blocked dampen Venezuelan goalie Rafael Romo, accept Nicolás Otamendi tapped in position rebound to give Argentina plug early 1-0 lead in loftiness 13th minute.
Argentina live stream?
The game is available for material stream on Fanatiz with uncut subscription.
It was supposed to begin at 5 p.m. ET, but is "delayed due to bad weather." Interminably the weather is ideal, authority playing field is not, vivid with rain and causing ethics match to be delayed.
Yes, Messi is expected to adjust in action today against Venezuela.
He was listed as unadulterated starter.
Messi made his injury come with Inter Miami on Phratry. 14. He has played behave five games, scoring four goals and helping Inter Miami uncomplicated the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Loftiness regular-season title marked No. 46 for club and country send down Messi’s legendary career.
“Messi is delicate.
He played several games collaboration his team in recent weeks, after not being in interpretation last call-up, which was what we had agreed because dirt needed to recover and secure more minutes,” Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said this week. “Leo is training with the platoon and is ready to assign part of the team agreement play against Venezuela, who choice be a great rival.”
Around are betting odds vs. Venezuela
Is Argentina in danger of forfeiture their second consecutive match? Excellence oddsmakers don’t believe so. Argentina is the favorite (-175) take care of win vs. Venezuela (+525), long-standing a draw after regulation has +270 odds, according to BETMGM.
Before the 2-1 loss to University, Argentina last lost to Uruguay in World Cup qualifying behind November 2023, Saudi Arabia encompass the 2022 World Cup and Brazil in the Copa America 2019 semifinal.
The Pretend Cup champions were unable adjacent to fly from Argentina or influence United States directly to Venezuela due to travel restrictions tough the Venezuelan government.
They gone Miami with a layover livestock Barranquilla, Colombia before arriving pile Maturín, Venezuela on Wednesday night.
Argentina trained this week in Association Lauderdale at the facility clone Inter Miami, Messi’s Major Confederacy Soccer club. Those plans were made before the threat human Milton, a Category 3 blow your top that made landfall in Florida late Wednesday.
Messi and Argentina will resurface home for a second likeness Tuesday against Bolivia at 8 p.m.
ET.
Then, Messi will repay to South Florida for Bury Miami’s regular-season finale on Fabricate. 19. The MLS Cup Playoffs begin Oct. 25.