Lionel Messi and Argentina held to 1-1 draw by Salomon Rondon's equalizer for Venezuela
Lionel Messi and Argentina were unable to secure victory against a determined Venezuela in Maturín. La Albiceleste adds another match without a win in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Argentina, with Lionel Messi, and Venezuela played to a 1-1 draw at Estadio Monumental de Maturín after a hard-fought match for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring in the 13th minute, while Salomón Rondón equalized for the hosts in the 65th minute, securing a valuable point.
The match was first delayed due to the poor conditions of the pitch, which was filled with water pits after the heavy rain that poured over the city of Maturin in the afternoon. However, at 5:30 PM (ET), both teams appeared on the field to try to secure three points.
It was an intense match, very physical for both sides. However, Venezuela was able to adapt better to the conditions, and they saved a key point for their aspiration to qualify for the first time to a World Cup. Meanwhile, Argentina are still at the top of the standings with 19 points.
Venezuela and Argentina draw!
That's all for today!
Colombia and Venezuela drew 1-1 in an exciting game and you lived every moment here, on Bolavip.
Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!
FULL TIME! (Venezuela 1-1 Argentina)
Argentina and Venezuela draw 1-1 at Estadio Monumental in Maturin after an intense match. Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring at the 13th minute, while Salo Rondon found the net at 65th minute to save a point for the locals.
94' - FREE-KICK FOR VENEZUELA!
Venezuela have ANOTHER CHANCE to score in the last minute of the match.
89' - Yellow card for Bocha Batista (1-1)
Venezuela's head coach saw the yellow card after protesting an offside. Match still tied, and only four minutes left of adding time.
85' - Venezuela keep attacking! (1-1)
While the free-kick ended up in nothing, La Vinotinto are still pressing Argentina. The World Cup champions can't find their way out of their own box.
83' - Free-kick for Venezuela! (1-1)
Venezuela has a dangerous free-kick!
82' - Venezuela and Argentina are still tied! (1-1)
Venezuela found their equalizer thanks to their all-time goalscorer Salomon Rondon, after an incredible assist from Soteldo. Both teams want the win, but the locals seem stronger.
75' - Messi with a free-kick, Romo saves! (1-1)
Argentina are getting desperate to get the win against Venezuela. Messi got a free kick, but Romo saved! Let's remember, La Vinotinto has only defeated La Albiceleste in an official match once: back in 2011, with a 1-0 win in Puerto Ordaz.
73' - MESSI! FIRST CHANCE FOR THE CAPTAIN (1-1)
Messi entered the box during a quick play, but Romo confronted him to deny him space.
71' - Venezuela want the victory! Almost the second! (1-1)
Venezuela are now ruling the match. The locals got another clear chance to get their second goal of the night!
68' - Argentina start to push! (1-1)
After the incredible goal by Salomon Rondon, Argentina find themselves in trouble. La Albiceleste are trying to look for their second. They have never lost two consecutives matches in Qualifiers.
65' - GOAL! VENEZUELA! (1-1)
RONDON scores the equalizer! 1-1 at Estadio Monumental!
62' - Argentina with a clear chance! (0-1)
After a collision between Soteldo and De Paul, Argentina got another chance to score! However, Venezuelan defenders were able to clear the area. The match is getting heated.
59' - Changes in Venezuela (0-1)
Tomas Rincon and Jefferson Savarino are out. Jhonder Cadiz and Darwin Machis are in.
56' - Molina finds Alvarez in the box, but nothing happens (0-1)
Argentina are looking better in this second half. Nahuel Molina find himself almost alone in front of Romo, but when he decided to make a pass to Julian Alvarez, the ball fell short.
54' - Argentina start to find their rythm (0-1)
Argentina, who struggled to have the ball in the first half, are starting to find ways to impose their game. However, Venezuela are pressing.
51' - RULLI SAVES ANOTHER CHANCE! (0-1)
Yangel Herrera tried a shot from outside the box, and Rulli appeared once again to save Argentina. Venezuela want the equalizer!
49' - Lionel Messi starts to intervene (0-1)
Messi hasn't been much influential in the game so far. However, the Argentine captain had an incredible run that ended in a center without much danger for the visitors.
48' - RONDON ONCE AGAIN WITH THE CHANCE! (0-1)
Venezual started the second half with everything. Rondon had a clear chance that ended in a corner-kick, then, Rulli saved an incredible chance for Yangel Herrera!
47' - Montiel enters! (0-1)
Gonzalo Montiel is now playing, replacing Thiago Almada.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY!
Argentina and Venezuela return to the pitch!
HALFTIME!
The first half is gone! Argentina are winning with the lonely goal of Nicolas Otamendi at 13th minute. However, Venezuela, especially with Salomon Rondon, have had many chances to equalize.
44' - Another offside for Venezuela! (0-1)
The World Champions are struggling to control the game, likely due to the pitch's condition. However, La Vinotinto aren't giving up and continue attacking Rulli's box.
40' - RONDON AGAIN!! (0-1)
Venezuela want their equalizer! The local team had another clear chance to find the net with another Rondon shot in the goal area.
39' - Argentina are trying to slow down the match (0-1)
The match is still pretty intense, with a lot of physical game from two teams. However, Venezuela are the ones who have enjoyed more ball possesion.
35' - Possible hand in the box! (0-1)
Venezuela are asking the ref to watch a possible hand in Argentina's area. However, it seems like it was nothing. Game is resumed.
32' - Yellow card for Martinez (0-1)
José 'Brujo' Martínez received a yellow card. The midfielder will be suspended for Venezuela's next match against Paraguay.
28' - Argentina are struggling (0-1)
Venezuela are now carrying the rythm of the match. After several clear chances, Argentina cannot control the match.
25' - RONDON AGAIN! (0-1)
After a great pass from Yangel Herrera, Rondon got another clear chance! Corner-kick for La Vinotinto!
24' - ALMOST RONDON! (0-1)
Venezuela are getting closer to an equalizer. Rondón's shot narrowly missed the target!
21' - Rulli! Venezuela get another chance! (0-1)
Rulli made his first intervention of the match following a dangerous Venezuela corner. The game remains evenly balanced.
18' - Venezuela get a corner kick (0-1)
After opening the scoring, Argentina are starting to be more dominant. However, anything can happen in the match. Venezuela got their first corner kick.
13' - GOAL! ARGENTINA! (0-1)
Argentina scored the first after a free-kick! Nicolas Otamendi gives La Albiceleste the advantage in Maturin.
9' - Rincon gets the first chance! (0-0)
There has been many fouls in these first minutes of the game. Both Argentina and Venezuela are struggling to move the ball. However, Tomas Rincon got the first clear shot of the game.
6' - Free-kick for Argentina (0-0)
Lionel Messi takes the free-kick, but it didn't bring danger to Rafa Romo's box.
5' - Venezuela start strong against Argentina (0-0)
The first minutes of the match have been pretty intense, especially as the ball can't slide easily.
0' - GAME ON! (0-0)
Venezuela and Argentina are already playing for Matchday 9 of the 2026 CONMBEOL Qualifiers!
National anthems are being played in Estadio Monumental
Match between Argentina and Venezuela will start at 5:30 PM (ET). The national anthems are being played at Estadio Monumental in Maturin.
Players return to the field
The substitute players for Argentina sit on the bench, while workers try to dry the field. Match is expected to start at 5:30 PM (ET).
MATURIN, VENEZUELA - OCTOBER 10: Staff members swipe water from the pitch prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American Qualifier match between Venezuela and Argentina at Estadio Monumental de Maturin on October 10, 2024 in Maturin, Venezuela. The match is delayed due to the pitch conditions. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)
At least 30 minutes of delay
According to Venezuelan media, the match will start 30 minutes late due to the bad pitch's conditions. According to what is being reported, Argentina don't want to play if the field isn't in good conditions.
Kick-off time delayed due to the pitch's conditions
The coaching staff of both teams were seen talking in the middle of the pitch, as there's concerns regarding the conditions of the field. As we said, there are large water pits.The match will start 15 minutes late.
Lionel Messi's record against La Vinotinto
Lionel Messi returns to Venezuela, a country against he has a pretty good record:
Played: 11
Won: 8
Drawn: 1
Lost: 2
Goals: 5
Assists: 6
Lionel Messi of Argentina (R) and teammate Nicolas Otamendi warm up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American Qualifier match between Venezuela and Argentina (Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)
Argentine players one yellow card away from suspension
Argentina players that cannot get another yellow card if they want to be avoid suspension are: Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovanni Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Ezequiel Palacios, Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel.
Venezuela's line-up confirmed!
Venezuela will play with: Rafael Romo; Jon Aramburu, Yordan Osorio, Nahuel Ferraresi, Alexander González; José Andrés Martínez, Yangel Herrera, Tomás Rincón; Yeferson Soteldo, Salomón Rondón and Jefferson Savarino.
Argentina’s line-up confirmed!
La Albiceleste’s line up to face Venezuela has been confirmed: Geronimo Rulli, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Tagliafico, De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Giovanni Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez.
The pitch’s condition isn’t the best
It seems that the heavy rain pouring in Maturin has caused a large water pit on the pitch:
There's a big water pit on the field (via Tyc Sports)
Today’s stage: Estadio Monumental de Maturin
Argentina will play for the first time in this stadium, which is the biggest one in Venezuela, with a capacity for 52,000 people. Maturin is also one of the hottest cities in the Caribbean country, with temperatures expected to be around 91°F.
A fan of Venezuela cheer for his team prior to the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Venezuela and Uruguay at Estadio Monumental de Maturin
Argentina are at the top of the standings
Lionel Scaloni’s side are leading the standings with 18 points, after losing their last match against Colombia in Barranquilla (2-1). Meanwhile, Fernando Batista’s men are sixth in the standings, after drawing their last game vs Uruguay (0-0).
Today’s referee
Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera will officiate today's match between La Vinotinto and Argentina. He was one of the referees of the Copa America 2024, however, this will be his first Qualifiers match.
Referee: Gustavo Tejera
Assistant 1: Nicolás Tarán
Assistant 2: Martín Soppi
Fourth official: Mathias De Armas
VAR: Cristhian Ferreyra
AVAR: Richard Trinidad
Kick-off time and how to watch
The clash between Venezuela and Argentina for the Matchday 9 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will kick off at 5:00 PM (ET).
Match delayed for now | Venezuela have never lost in Maturin
As we wait for the match to start, as it has been delayed due to the water pits on the pitch, we revisit Venezuela's record in Maturin. La Vinotinto have never lost in Estadio Monumental: they have won five games and drawn three.
Venezuela host Argentina for Matchday 9 of World Cup Qualifiers
Welcome to our live blog of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers match between Venezuela and Argentina!
The two teams will face each other at Estadio Monumental de Maturin in Maturin, Venezuela. It’s an important match for both teams, especially La Vinotinto.
Stay with us so you don't miss a single thing with minute by minute updates!
