Lionel Messi and Argentina held to 1-1 draw by Salomon Rondon's equalizer for Venezuela

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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.

Venezuela have ANOTHER CHANCE to score in the last minute of the match. 

Venezuela's head coach saw the yellow card after protesting an offside. Match still tied, and only four minutes left of adding time.

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.

Venezuela has a dangerous free-kick! 

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.

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.

Messi entered the box during a quick play, but Romo confronted him to deny him space.

Venezuela are now ruling the match. The locals got another clear chance to get their second goal of the night!

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. 

RONDON scores the equalizer! 1-1 at Estadio Monumental! 

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. 

Tomas Rincon and Jefferson Savarino are out. Jhonder Cadiz and Darwin Machis are in.

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. 

Argentina, who struggled to have the ball in the first half, are starting to find ways to impose their game. However, Venezuela are pressing. 

Yangel Herrera tried a shot from outside the box, and Rulli appeared once again to save Argentina. Venezuela want the equalizer! 

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. 

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! 

Gonzalo Montiel is now playing, replacing Thiago Almada. 

Argentina and Venezuela return to the pitch! 

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. 

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.

Venezuela want their equalizer! The local team had another clear chance to find the net with another Rondon shot in the goal area. 

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. 

Venezuela are asking the ref to watch a possible hand in Argentina's area. However, it seems like it was nothing. Game is resumed. 

José 'Brujo' Martínez received a yellow card. The midfielder will be suspended for Venezuela's next match against Paraguay. 

Venezuela are now carrying the rythm of the match. After several clear chances, Argentina cannot control the match. 

After a great pass from Yangel Herrera, Rondon got another clear chance! Corner-kick for La Vinotinto! 

Venezuela are getting closer to an equalizer. Rondón's shot narrowly missed the target!

Rulli made his first intervention of the match following a dangerous Venezuela corner. The game remains evenly balanced.

After opening the scoring, Argentina are starting to be more dominant. However, anything can happen in the match. Venezuela got their first corner kick.

Argentina scored the first after a free-kick! Nicolas Otamendi gives La Albiceleste the advantage in Maturin.

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.

Lionel Messi takes the free-kick, but it didn't bring danger to Rafa Romo's box. 

The first minutes of the match have been pretty intense, especially as the ball can't slide easily. 

Venezuela and Argentina are already playing for Matchday 9 of the 2026 CONMBEOL Qualifiers!

Match between Argentina and Venezuela will start at 5:30 PM (ET). The national anthems are being played at Estadio Monumental in Maturin.

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)

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. 

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. 

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¿SE JUEGA, SE ATRASA O SE SUSPENDE? 🤔 Así está el campo de juego a tan solo 10 minutos de Venezuela - Argentina.

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8:47 PM · Oct 10, 2024

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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)

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 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.

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.

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)

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

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).

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

The clash between Venezuela and Argentina for the Matchday 9 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will kick off at 5:00 PM (ET).

If you want to watch the match between Venezuela and Argentina in the US, one option is Fanatiz USA.

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.

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!