Argentina Vs Venezuela Highlights, FIFA WC 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Messi Brace Hands Albiceleste Routine Victory

Greetings and welcome to everyone joining us for some delectable football action. The final phase of the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers pits Argentina against Venezuela, and we will bring to you the build-up as well as live updates from the match in our blog.

Argentina: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Parades, Messsi, Almada, Mastatuono, Alvarez

Venezuela: Romo, Navarro, Angel, Ferraresi, Navarro, Rincon, Casseres Jr., Aramburu, Savarino, Rondon, Bello

And we are underway at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires as Argentina look to start off brightly against Venezuela.

Argentina 0-0 Venezuela 1'

Venezuela are sitting so deep, that Argentina are finding hard to open them at the back. However, ARG's trump card remains Lionel Messi and if he starts weaving his wand, then the Venezuelans will have a tough evening.

Argentina 0-0 Venezuela 7'

Still no breakthrough in the game as Argentina finding it hard to break the Venezuela. Elsewhere, Cristian Cásseres goes in the ref's book for a bad foul.

Argentina 0-0 Venezuela 16'

Almada is proving to be quite potent tonight as the Atleti forward runs down the left flank and then finds Messi unmarked as the Inter Miami CF forward shoots only for the VEN keeper to produce a fine save.

Argentina 0-0 Venezuela 26'

Despite the lack of action on the field, the fans inside the Monumental Stadium are no short of fun and fervour. The stadium is bouncing and are creating the noise, exactly what their team requires as they look to clinch a win for Messi.

Argentina 0-0 Venezuela 31'

Chants of 'Messi, Messi' ring around the Monumental Stadium as the Argentine great scores for his country. A great pass from Paredes finds Julian Alvarez who rounds the Venezuelan keeper to find Messi, and the latter does no mistake to score.

Argentina 1-0 Venezuela 39'

A fine interchange between Almada and Alvarez and the former then takes an audacious shot inside the Venezuelan box but Rafael Como produces a fine one-handed save to deny the Atleti forward.

Argentina 1-0 Venezuela 45+1'

First Half ends, Argentina 1, Venezuela 0.

Second-half begins as home crowd welcome their stars back on to the field.

Josef Martínez replaces Salomón Rondón and Yeferson Soteldo replaces Miguel Navarro.

Argentina 1-0 Venezuela 56'

Lionel Messi's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked who is fed by Thiago Almada. Another chance goes begging for the World Champions. And amidst that, ARG make a change as Nico González replaces Franco Mastantuono.

Argentina 1-0 Venezuela 61'

On come Lautaro Martinez, Palacios who replace Julian Alvarez and Leandro Paredes.

Argentina 1-0 Venezuela 73'

What an introduction for the Inter Milan forward! Lautaro Martinez scores minutes from being on the pitch as Argentina take 2-0 lead in the game. What a goal.

Argentina 2-0 Venezuela 75'

Messi is having a ball now! The Argentine captain is fed by Thiago Almada (again) as he makes no mistake to put it behind an empty net and hand his side a 3-0 lead.

Argentina 3-0 Venezuela 80'

Argentina have delivered a great performance on the night with Messi standing out on his farewell game and Lautaro Martinez too registering a goal.

Argentina 3-0 Venezuela 85'

Two minutes added on. Meanwhile, Venezuela receive a free kick at the edge of the box, courtesy of a foul on Murillo. However, it goes in vain.

Argentina 3-0 Venezuela 90 +1'

Second Half ends, Argentina 3, Venezuela 0. However, all the talk will be about Messi who has scored 114 goals for Argentina.