Lionel Messi, Argentina settle for 1-1 draw vs. Venezuela in World ...

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Lionel Messi played the distance on a saturated, rain-soaked pitch as the Argentine National Football Team settled for a 1-1 draw against host Venezuela on Thursday in a qualifying match for World Cup 2026.

Argentina's Nicolás Otamendi scored in the 13th minute to give the reigning World Cup champions an early 1-0 lead, but Venezuela's Salomón Rondón scored a header inside the box to tie the match in the 65th minute.

However, the pitch at Monumental Stadium of Maturin was the story in this match. The field was severely drenched as large amounts of rainwater visibly rose from the surface every time a player has made a play on the ball.

Representatives from both clubs convened to discuss the playing surface, where stadium workers attempted to roll out the water from the saturated field before and during a 30-minute weather delay until the match began.

"The truth is that it was very difficult to play like that. The match became very ugly, very tight," Messi said after the match.

“I don’t want to say much, but the pitch was not in good condition for play, at least today,” Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni added.

Messi missed two shots during the match as players from both teams navigated the conditions, which affected how they played their touches and passes throughout the match. The good news for Messi: It was his first match with the national team since he suffered a right ankle injury in the Copa America final on July 14.

"It was a long wait to play again. It was a long time away, missing matches for the club. But I'm happy to be back," Messi said.

The good news for Argentina: They remain atop the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings with 19 points despite the draw. It was Argentina’s first draw since a 1-1 tie against Ecuador on March 30, 2022 during qualifying for the last World Cup, which they won.

"Unfortunately we had to adapt to these circumstances, and we couldn't take the three points," Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul said of not being able to win.

And Argentina avoided a second straight loss, which has not happened since 2016. Messi was not with Argentina for a 3-0 win over Chile on Sept. 6, and a 2-1 loss to Colombia on Sept. 10 in a rematch of the Copa America final.

Along with the playing conditions, Argentina's travel plans were impacted by Hurricane Milton and Venezuelan travel restrictions. The team left Miami and had a layover in Colombia before arriving late Wednesday night in Maturin, Venezuela. They trained during the week at Messi's Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami, and were unable to fly directly from the United States and Argentina to the country for the match.

Argentina, the reigning World Cup and two-time defending Copa America champions, has lost just four times in the last 67 matches they’ve played.

Messi and Argentina will play Bolivia at Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. Argentina time).

"I'm happy to be playing in Argentina again on Tuesday," Messi said.

Here are highlights from today’s Venezuela vs. Argentina match:

Lionel Messi could only smile after his shot was blocked by Venezuelan goalie Rafael Romo in the 73rd minute. Messi was unable to play the stellar pass from Rodrigo De Paul.

We have a tied game in the second half after Venezuela scored the equalizer.

Salomón Rondón scored a header inside the box, and Venezuela has tied the match 1-1 in the 65th minute.

Rondón received a stellar pass from Yeferson Soteldo, who was credited with the assist.

It’s been a wet and sloppy affair between both teams as the saturated pitch has played its part. Players are kicking up rain water with every move they make, and the conditions have affected how both teams have attacked in the first half.

Lionel Messi missed a shot in the 31st minute just outside the box, playing the ball after a pass because second and third touches are disrupted by the wet field.

Argentina leads 1-0 thanks to Nicolás Otamendi’s goal in the 13th minute.

Lionel Messi’s free kick was blocked by Venezuelan goalie Rafael Romo, and Nicolás Otamendi tapped in the rebound to give Argentina an early 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.

The game is available for live stream on Fanatiz with a subscription.

What time does the Venezuela vs. Argentina match start?

It was supposed to begin at 5 p.m. ET, but is "delayed due to bad weather." While the weather is ideal, the playing field is not, saturated with rain and causing the match to be delayed.

Yes, Messi is expected to be in action today against Venezuela. He was listed as a starter.

Messi made his injury return with Inter Miami on Sept. 14. He has played in five games, scoring four goals and helping Inter Miami secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield. The regular-season title marked No. 46 for club and country in Messi’s legendary career.

“Messi is fine. He played several games for his team in recent weeks, after not being in the last call-up, which was what we had agreed because he needed to recover and get more minutes,” Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said this week. “Leo is training with the squad and is ready to be part of the team to play against Venezuela, who will be a great rival.”

Is Argentina in danger of losing their second consecutive match? The oddsmakers don’t believe so. Argentina is the favorite (-175) to win vs. Venezuela (+525), while a draw after regulation has +270 odds, according to BETMGM.

Which teams have beaten Argentina? Here are the last 4 losses

Before the 2-1 loss to Columbia, Argentina last lost to Uruguay in World Cup qualifying last November 2023, Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup opener and Brazil in the Copa America 2019 semifinal.

The World Cup champions were unable to fly from Argentina or the United States directly to Venezuela due to travel restrictions by the Venezuelan government. They departed Miami with a layover in Barranquilla, Colombia before arriving in Maturín, Venezuela on Wednesday night.

Argentina trained this week in Fort Lauderdale at the facility of Inter Miami, Messi’s Major League Soccer club. Those plans were made before the threat of Milton, a Category 3 storm that made landfall in Florida late Wednesday.

Messi and Argentina will return home for a second match Tuesday against Bolivia at 8 p.m. ET.

Then, Messi will return to South Florida for Inter Miami’s regular-season finale on Oct. 19. The MLS Cup Playoffs begin Oct. 25.