Messi shines in possible farewell, Argentina beat Venezuela | OneFootball

On this Thursday, Messi shone once again, and Argentina defeated Venezuela 3-0, for the 17th round of the South American Qualifiers. The match, which marked the possible farewell of the number 10 in official matches played on Argentine soil, took place at Más Monumental, home of River Plate. The tone was of farewell, because the Inter Miami player, after the call-up, stated that this "is the last (game) for the Qualifiers" in his native country.

Messi himself – twice – and Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez were the top scorers of the night in Buenos Aires.

Before the ball rolled, Messi was greatly honored by the fans present with mosaics and chants and by the Argentine team itself, which welcomed the star's children onto the field for an action and execution of the national anthem. In addition, Antonela, the athlete's wife, and Celia, his mother, watched the match from the stadium's box.

With the victory, Argentina, already guaranteed in the World Cup, reached 38 points and continued isolated at the top of the Qualifiers. Venezuela, on the other hand, with 18 units, remained in seventh position - a spot that allows a playoff to the World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

For the last round of the Qualifiers, the Albiceleste, of Lionel Messi, visits Ecuador next Tuesday (9), at 8 pm (Brasília time), at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha. The Venezuelans, in search of a playoff spot, on the same day, but at 8:30 pm, host Colombia, at Estadio Monumental de Maturín.

Argentina vs Venezuela: the game

First half

The first half at Monumental started with a lot of intensity and pressure from Argentina. From the first minutes, Julián Álvarez and Messi created the best opportunities, but the Venezuelan goalkeeper Romo was attentive, defending shots from the striker and the number 10. Venezuela also sought responses in shots from outside the area and attacks from Rincón and Yotún, but couldn't pose a real threat to Emiliano Martínez's goal.

Argentina opened the scoring at 38 minutes in a play of pure class. Julián Álvarez received a pass at the edge of the area, dribbled past the defense and found Messi. The star, eight-time Ballon d'Or, gave a subtle touch over the top, fooling goalkeeper Romo and full-back Aramburu, who tried to block the shot. It was the 103rd goal of the Inter Miami player for his national team.

Second half

Argentina maintained control of the game in the second half and extended the lead. At 30 minutes, Lautaro Martínez, who had just come on, rose to head a cross from Nico González, scoring the second Argentine goal.

Shortly after, at 34 minutes, Messi scored again. Almada received a deep pass on the right, advanced and crossed low for Messi to finish with his left foot, with an open goal, extending to 3-0 and consolidating the victory of the Argentine team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.