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Published : Oct 11, 2024 04:59 IST , Mexico City – 2 MINS READ
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Nicolas Otamendi (l) of Argentina celebrates with teammate Giovani Lo Celso. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Argentina was held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi’s return to international duty in the South America’s World Cup qualifiers.
Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July, was brilliant in setting up Otamendi on a drenched pitch to open the scoring 13 minutes after kick-off, which was delayed by half an hour due to heavy rain.
Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, filling in for Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez, who is serving a two-match ban for offensive behaviour, produced a fine performance to keep out Salomon Rondon’s first-half efforts.
RELATED | Venezuela vs Argentina Highlights
However, the determined Venezuelan striker equalised in the second half with an exceptional header from a Yeferson Soteldo’s cross to temporarily move his team to sixth in the standings with 11 points.
Argentina sought a winner after boss Lionel Scaloni introduced Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez five minutes from time, but the soggy pitch only increased the World Cup winners’ shortcomings.
“It was an ugly match. We couldn’t even make two passes in a row, the ball stopped because of the water on the pitch. It is difficult to play in these conditions, the pitch did not help,” Messi told TyC Sports after the game.
“The best conditions for us to play is that there is a good pitch, good weather, that the ball runs. We don’t ask for much, do we?” added defender Rodrigo De Paul.
Argentina remains top of the standings with 19 points and will face Bolivia on Tuesday, while Venezuela visits Paraguay. 
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Argentina /
2026 World Cup Qualifiers /
Lionel Messi /
Venezuela /
Lionel Messi /
Nicolas Otamendi
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