Lionel Messi and Argentina are long since qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but Venezuela have everything still to play for — a place in the inter-confederation playoffs — when they face the reigning world champions in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
WATCH — Argentina vs Venezuela
For live updates and highlights throughout Argentina vs Venezuela, check out PST’s live blog coverage below.
Argentina vs Venezuela live score: 3-0
Lionel Messi 39′, 80′, Lautaro Martinez 76′
How to watch Argentina vs Venezuela live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30 pm ET, Thursday
Venue: Estadio Monumental — Buenos Aires
TV Channel: Universo
Streaming: Watch live
Lionel Messi brace! — Argentina 3-0 Venezuela (80th minute)
Make it 114 goals in an Argentina shirt for Leo Messi.
Thiago Almada is the man doing the work on this one, getting into the box before setting up his captain for a second goal of the night.
Lautaro Martinez goal — Argentina 2-0 Venezuela (76th minute)
Pretty good squad where Lautaro Martinez serves as the super sub.
He cashes in Nico Gonzalez service to double the Albiceleste’s advantage, just two minutes after entering the game for Alvarez.
Lionel Messi goal (video) — Argentina 1-0 Venezuela (39th minute)
It could be his final home competitive match as an Argentina player, and Lionel Messi is making sure it includes a goal.
He’s part of the rush and takes a square pass from Julian Alvarez, dinking it over Universidad Católica keeper Rafael Romo for 1-0.
Messi opens scoring for Argentina v. Venezuela
In what could be his last international match in Argentina, Lionel Messi takes a feed from Julian Alvarez and uses some nifty footwork to break his side’s deadlock against Venezuela in the World Cup qualifiers.
CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualification table (as of Sept. 3, 2025)
- Argentina – 35 points (+19 GD) — QUALIFIED
- Ecuador – 25 points (+8 GD)* — QUALIFIED
- Brazil – 25 points (+5 GD) — QUALIFIED
- Uruguay – 24 points (+7 GD)
- Paraguay – 24 points (+4 GD)
- Colombia – 22 points (+4 GD)
- Venezuela – 18 points (-4 GD)
- Bolivia – 17 points (-16 GD)
- Peru – 12 points (-11 GD)
-
Chile – 10 points (-15 GD)
*Three points were deducted from Ecuador’s total prior to the start of qualification for using a player whose legal passport contained false information.
Argentina team news, focus
OUT: Enzo Martinez (suspension), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Facundo Medina (ankle)
Venezuela team news, focus
OUT: David Martinez (shoulder), Jose Andres Martinez (hand)
Argentina vs Venezuela prediction
Venezuela probably need to win one of their last two games to finish 7th, which means they’re going to need to beat Colombia next Tuesday. Argentina 3-1 Venezuela.
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