Overview

• Argentina beat Venezuela 3:0 at a packed Monumental, with Messi scoring in the 39th and 80th minutes and Lautaro Martínez adding the second.
• The occasion was widely described as his probable final competitive appearance on Argentine soil, with further home friendlies considered unlikely for financial reasons.
• Messi took the field with his family and was visibly emotional during the national anthem before delivering a match-winning performance.
• Asked about a sixth World Cup, he said "we will see," will decide after the MLS season, and confirmed he will sit out Tuesday’s qualifier in Ecuador.
• On the same matchday, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay clinched the remaining direct South American berths for the 2026 World Cup, completing the region’s six automatic qualifiers.