Venezuela will host Argentina today, Thursday, September 2 at the Olympic Stadium in Caracas for Matchday 9 of the Conmebol World Cup Qualifiers 2022. While the hosts are in need of points to get out of the bottom of the table, Argentina will want to get three points before facing Brazil on Sunday. This game can be watched in the US with FuboTV.

La Albiceleste is coming into this match as champions of the Copa America 2021, after defeating Brazil in the final at the Maracaná. Lionel Messi is, one more time, the leader of the team, who is second in the standings with 12 points so far. 

On the other hand, Venezuela are in ninth place out of 10, only above Peru. La Vinotinto are coming into this match after the resignation of Jose Peseiro as head coach due to problems with his pay. The team will be in charge of Leonardo Gonzales, as an interim coach. 

Venezuela confirmed lineup 

Despite the resignation of Jose Peseiro, Gonzales will not experiment much with the team, especially against a strong team as Argentina. In the squad, there’s the familiar names from La Vinotinto. Darwin Machís, Fernando Aristigueta and Yordan Osorio will miss this match. 

With that said, this will be Venezuela’s lineup for the game against La Albiceleste: Fariñez; González, Ferraresi, Velazquez, Savarino; Soteldo, Martinez, Rincón, González; Josef Martínez, Ramírez. 

Argentina confirmed lineup 

Despite the European leagues not allowing players to travel to “red-listed” countries due to the pandemic, Argentina will have the majority of their top players for this international window, including Lionel Messi, who apparently included a clausule to let him travel with his national team in his contract with the PSG.

While some players haven't played that much with their clubs after returning from their vacations, it’s probable that Lionel Scaloni will use his regulars, so key players will have more rhythm before facing Brazil. This will be Argentina’s starting eleven: E. Martínez; Molina, Pezzella, Otamendi, Acuña; Lo Celso, Rodriguez, De Paul, Di Maria; Messi, L. Martínez.