Overview

• Lionel Messi played his first match for Argentina since July, following an ankle injury, but the team was held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela in Maturín.
• The match in Venezuela was delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain, which affected the pitch conditions and gameplay.
• Nicolás Otamendi scored for Argentina in the 13th minute, but Salomón Rondón equalized for Venezuela in the 65th minute with a header.
• Despite the draw, Argentina remains at the top of the South American World Cup qualifying standings with 19 points from nine matches.
• Brazil's late 2-1 win over Chile, with a decisive goal from Luiz Henrique in the 89th minute, moves them to fourth place in the standings.