With the match delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain on the pitch, Argentina and Venezuela would draw 1-1 in a match that was played on a very sloppy pitch.

Venezuela took several efforts on goal in the first half but Gerónimo Rulli made several saves to deny the hosts. Argentina were awarded a free kick and it was Lionel Messi who took it and Nicolás Otamendi was the first to the loose ball and he scored to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni would bring in Gonzalo Montiel for Thiago Almada at half time. Venezuela would get a chance early on with a header but Rulli once more would make the save.

At 1-0, it was a cross into the penalty area and Rondón with a header and he would score to draw Venezuela level. Lionel Scaloni would bring on Leo Balerdi for Gio Lo Celso.

Rodrigo De Paul played a through ball into Lionel Messi but his effort from close ragne was saved by the goalkeeper. Lautaro Martínez and Leandro Paredes were substituted in for Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez.

The match would end in a 1-1 draw. The Argentina national team play Bolivia on Tuesday.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the starting eleven against Venezuela and both Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez start.

Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez both start for Argentina with Lautaro Martínez on the bench. Here is the starting eleven:

Rulli; Tagliafico, Pezzella, Otamendi, Molina; Lo Celso, Enzo Fernández, Almada, De Paul; Julián Álvarez, Messi

Thiago Almada has a chance to start for Argentina against Venezuela.

Almada could be starting for Argentina on Thursday. According to Gastón Edul, the 23 year old was playing in a four man midfield on Wednesday in training with Argentina and he has chances to start Thursday’s World Cup qualifier.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni tried a midfield of Almada, Gio Lo Celso, Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul. Almada’s last match with the Argentina national team was in June of 2023 in a 2-0 win vs. Indonesia.

Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez are set to start for Argentina with Lautaro Martínez on the bench.

Messi returns to the Argentina national team and to the starting eleven against Venezuela on Thursday. According to Gastón Edul, Messi will start along with Julián Álvarez.

Lautaro Martínez will start on the bench for Argentina against Venezuela. Álvarez and Lautaro started both of Argentina’s last two World Cup qualifying matches.

Germán Pezzella could get the start for Argentina in place of Lisandro Martínez.

Pezzella could partner Nicolás Otamendi in the back line against Venezuela. According to Gastón Edul, the 33 year old has big chances of starting on Thursday.

The last time Pezzella started for the Argentina national team was in the 2-0 win vs. Peru at the Copa America. Argentina play Venezuela on Thursday before playing Bolivia on Tuesday.