Argentina's Lionel Messi and teammates walk off the field after their 1-1 draw against Venezuela in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Lionel Messi's Argentina Play Out 1-1 Draw Against Venezuela - In Pics
Salomon Rondon scored a second-half equalizer as Venezuela managed to secure a 1-1 draw at home against Argentina in their World Cup qualifier. Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for the reigning world champions by firing home from the edge of the six-yard box after Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo punched away Lionel Messi's free-kick. Rondon levelled the score just after the hour mark with a powerful header following Yeferson Soteldo's cross from the left flank. The result leaves Venezuela with 11 points from nine games in South America's qualifying zone, placing them eight points behind group leaders Argentina. The top six teams in the South American group will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while the seventh-ranked team will advance to an inter-continental playoff.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Lionel Messi dribbles during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, and Venezuela's Jose Martinez battle for the ball
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, and Venezuela's Jose Martinez battle for the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Nahuel Molina, left, battle for the ball with Venezuela's Jon Aramburu
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Nahuel Molina, left, battle for the ball with Venezuela's Jon Aramburu during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Lionel Messi takes a shot challenged by Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Lionel Messi takes a shot challenged by Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Giovani Lo Celso controls the ball
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Giovani Lo Celso controls the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi (19) celebrates with Giovani Lo Celso after scoring his side's opening goal
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi (19) celebrates with Giovani Lo Celso after scoring his side's opening goal against Venezuela during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi (19) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi (19) celebrates with Giovani Lo Celso after scoring his side's opening goal against Venezuela during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Nahuel Molina, left, and Venezuela's Jon Aramburu vie for the ball
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Nahuel Molina, left, and Venezuela's Jon Aramburu vie for the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, left, and Venezuela's Jefferson Savarino vie for the ball
| Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, left, and Venezuela's Jefferson Savarino vie for the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela.
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