Argentina vs Venezuela LIVE score, International friendly: ARG 1-0 VEN; Lo Celso scores to take the lead; Messi rested

Despite the absence of its captain, Lionel Messi, Argentina has managed to dominate proceedings against Venezuela. The reigning world champion had several chances in front of goal and should have had a bigger lead heading into the break, if it was not for Venezuelan goalkeeper Jose Contreras.

He saved Lautaro’s attempt from close range while also pushing Nico Paz’s long-range effort onto the post.

However, Argentina’s persistence prevailed in the end as Lautaro set up Lo Celso in the box, with the latter smashing it home to take the lead.

No added time to play as the referee blows the whistle for half-time.

Lautaro produces some fancy footwork and movement to get past three defenders and into the box. He fakes a shot twice before slamming the ball straight at the opposition goalkeeper.

Venezuela gets some breathing space after a long spell of Argentina possession as Paredes commits a foul.

Enzo Fernandez gets the ball on the left side of the box and plays a low pass into the box. Alvarez swipes at the ball, but does not make good contact before Lautaro sends it into the stands with his rebound attempt.

Lo Celso scores!!

Lautaro gets the ball outside the box from Alvarez and plays it through to Lo Celso on the left side of the penalty area. He takes a touch and laces the ball, and it strikes the advancing goalkeeper before bouncing into the back of the net.

Argentina makes a mistake at the back, and suddenly Venezuela has three players on two. Mendoza drives into the right side of the box and puts in a cross at the far post, where Marques has a free header. However, the 25-year-old is unable to react in time and ends up missing the goal altogether.

What a chance!

Argentina has had 72 percent possession of the ball so far in the game, but nothing to show for it.

Venezuela is finally on the attack as Mendoza receives the ball on the left. He gets to the edge of the box and attempts to take a shot, but takes a touch too many and ends up giving away the ball to the Argentine defence.

Venezuela is struggling to get out of its own half as the Argentine defence stands strong, stopping any attempted through ball played to the Venezuelan forwards.

Nico Paz gets the ball outside the box and takes a touch before lining up a shot. He aims for the bottom right corner, but Contreras makes a sharp save to his left to push the ball onto the right post.

A cross comes into the Venezuela box from the right. Lautaro rises the highest, but still is unable to reach the ball as it floats above everyone inside the box.

Senesi plays a lovely diagonal ball to Molina on the right side of the Venezuela box. He brings the ball down and plays it into the six-yard area where Lo Celso is waiting. However, he is unable to get his feet sorted in time and ends up sending his shot from close range wide.

Tagliafico is on the ball once again, and he tries to play it through to Lo Celso down the left wing. However, the former Tottenham player is adjudged offside and the chance is wasted.

Fernandez plays a ball over the top to Tagliafico on the left side of the box. He heads it into the middle where Lautaro’s effort at goal is tipped over the bar by Contreras.

Argentina is showing its dominance on the ball early in the game, passing the ball with eas around the back as the Venezuela players try to apply pressure.

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Argentina kicks off the match shooting from right to left.

The players are making their way into the Chase Stadium. Cristian Romero leads Argentina in the absence of Lionel Messi, while Cristian Casseres captains Venezuela.

The national anthems of both teams are played with Venezuela’s first followed by Argentina’s.

Messi scores twice as Argentina beats Venezuela 3-0 in his final home World Cup qualifier

Messi has not given an indication as to when he plans to retire but the 38-year-old has said the match against Venezuela will be his last World Cup qualifier on home soil.

E. Martinez (gk), Tagliafico, Senesi, Romero, Molina, Paredes, Paz, Alvarez, Lo Celso, E. Fernandez, L. Martinez

Argentina will take on Venezuela at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, its first of two friendly matches in this October international window

La Albiceleste have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and will face their South American neighbour before facing Puerto Rico on Monday.

Ahead of the game, the Argentine football federation confirmed that captain Lionel Messi will miss the clash, potentially being given rest. Additionally, Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono has also been ruled out due to a muscle overload in his left thigh.

With nothing at stake in these friendlies during this October window, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has the perfect opportunity to try out youngsters and new formations ahead of the nation’s World Cup title defence next month.

Contreras (gk), Ferraresi, Milani, Aramburu, Leon, Mendoza, Casseres, Marques, Segovia, Anor, Andrade

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Why is Messi not playing in Argentina vs Venezuela International friendly match?

The Argentina men’s national football team is facing off against Venezuela at the Chase Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, in its first of two international friendlies in the October window.

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Argentina

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Walter Benitez (Crystal Palace), Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club).

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Lautaro Rivero (River Plate), Marcos Acuna (River Plate), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon).

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Anibal Moreno (Palmeiras), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Nico Paz (Como), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool).

Forwards: Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Juan Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).

Venezuela

Goalkeepers: Joel Graterol, Jose Contreras, Javier Otero, Juan Rojas, Christopher Valera.

Defenders: Nahuel Ferraresi, Ronald Hernandez, Jon Aramburu, Carlos Vivas, Angel Azuaje, Luis Balbo, Alessandro Milani, Teo Quintero, Yiandro Raap, Renne Rivas.

Midfielders: Cristian Casseres, Juan Pablo Anor, Telasco Segovia, Kervin Andrade, Jorge Yriarte, Gleiker Mendoza, Jesus Bueno, Matias Lacava, Bryant Ortega, Gustavo Caraballo, Wikelman Carmona, Ender Echenique, Carlos Faya.

Forwards: Alejandro Marques, Jovanny Bolivar, Kevin Kelsy, Jesus Ramirez.

The Argentina vs Venezuela FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match will not be livestreamed or telecast anywhere in India.

Welcome to Sportstar’s live blog of the Argentina vs Venezuela international friendly match being played at the Chase Stadium in Miami, Florida.

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