Argentina 3-0 Venezuela: Leo Messi's Brace Hands ARG Victory

Lionel Messi made sure he had good memories of playing a home qualifier with Argentina’s national team for the last time in his illustrious career. Messi scored twice Thursday in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at estadio Monumental to bid him farewell. “Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of,” Messi said. “I’ve experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans.” Messi is yet to give any clues about when he will retire from the top level of the sport. But the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup will begin in 2027, when he’s 40. The Argentina captain scored in the 39th and 80th minutes, and Lautaro Martinez added a goal in the 76th.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 5 September 2025 12:46 pm

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CONMEBOL match Argentina vs Venezuela_Lionel Messi

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Venezuela during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Venezuela during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lionel Messi attacks against Venezuela during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CONMEBOL match Argentina vs Venezuela_Lautaro Martinez

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Venezuela during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CONMEBOL match Argentina vs Venezuela_Rodrigo De Paul

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul, left, and Venezuela's Salomon Rondon vie for the ball during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CONMEBOL match Argentina vs Venezuela_Julian Alvarez

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Julian Alvarez dribbles challenged by Venezuela's goalkeeper Rafael Romo during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CONMEBOL match Argentina vs Venezuela_Julian Alvarez, Leo Messi

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Lionel Messi, center, celebrates with Julian Alvarez after scoring his side's opening goal against Venezuela during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lionel Messi scores his side's opening goal against Venezuela during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Lionel Messi dribbles chased by Venezuela's Cristian Casseres, left, during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers CONMEBOL match Argentina vs Venezuela_ Lionel Messi and his sons

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina vs Venezuela | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lionel Messi embraces his sons prior to a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.