Messi shines as Argentina crush Venezuela 3-0 in World Cup Qualifier
With this win, Argentina extended their unbeaten run and strengthened their grip at the top of the standings with 38 points.
KATHMANDU: Lionel Messi once again proved why he’s hailed as the magician of football, scoring twice to lead Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Venezuela in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
With this win, Argentina extended their unbeaten run and strengthened their grip at the top of the standings with 38 points.
From the first whistle at the iconic Buenos Aires stadium, Argentina took control of the match, displaying their attacking prowess and intensity.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when captain Lionel Messi scored a sensational goal, igniting the crowd and giving Argentina a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
The second half saw Argentina maintain their dominance.
In the 76th minute, young striker Lautaro Martínez doubled the lead with a well-taken goal. Just four minutes later, Messi struck again, sealing the match with his second goal of the night and 114th international goal for Argentina.
This game is widely believed to be Messi’s final competitive match on home soil for Argentina, making the night even more emotional and historic for the fans.
Argentina had already secured their place in the 2026 World Cup, but for Venezuela, the defeat was a major blow to their qualification hopes.
Now, their only path to the World Cup lies through the intercontinental playoffs. To reach that stage, Venezuela must outperform Bolivia in the final round.
Currently, Venezuela is just one point ahead of Bolivia. However, the final fixtures present a tough challenge, with Venezuela set to face Colombia while Bolivia takes on tournament giants Brazil.
Brazil Thump Chile 3-0 in Maracanã Showdown
In another high-profile qualifier, Brazil delivered a dominant performance to defeat Chile 3-0 at the Maracanã Stadium.
Estevão opened the scoring in the 38th minute, giving Brazil a deserved 1-0 lead at halftime. The hosts continued to press in the second half, with Lucas Paquetá finding the net in the 72nd minute after a smart assist from El Henrick.
Just four minutes later, Bruno Guimarães added a third, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing an emphatic win for the Seleção.
With both Argentina and Brazil in top form, South America’s traditional powerhouses look well-prepared for the road ahead to the 2026 World Cup.
