Argentina dropped factors in a second successive CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier, as Venezuela held them to a 1-1 attract Maturin.
The spoils had been shared at Estadio Monumental de Maturin, the place Salomon Rondon’s second-half header cancelled out Nicolas Otamendi’s earlier effort.
After heavy rain delayed kick-off, Argentina took the lead within the thirteenth minute.
Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo did not correctly clear the returning Lionel Messi’s free-kick, and Otamendi reacted quickest to poke house from 12 yards out.
The hosts went near levelling both facet of the break. German Pezzella cleared off the road from Rondon, whereas Geronimo Rulli – deputising for the suspended Emiliano Martinez – saved out Yangel Herrera’s highly effective header.
Nevertheless, Venezuela did seize their equaliser within the sixty fifth minute – and subsequently some extent – when Rondon rose on the close to publish to energy house from Yeferson Soteldo’s cross.
We’re bringing some extent again from Maturín!
Venezuela 1 1 Argentina#ArgentinaNT pic.twitter.com/ptCWA0bK7y
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) October 10, 2024
Messi returned to the worldwide scene for the primary time since limping off in tears through the Copa America ultimate.
However the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner couldn’t assist Argentina get again to profitable methods, whereas he conceded possession the joint-most instances (19) by any visiting participant.
The situations definitely affected the stream of the sport, and was extra to the suiting of Venezuela. Though they’d simply 40.1% of possession, the hosts outshot their opponents 16-8.
Nevertheless, they’ve now did not win their final 5 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers; their longest streak since going six with out victory between June and October 2021.
