Venezuela vs Argentina: A Challenging Draw for Messi and Team

Argentina’s Lionel Messi expressed his frustration after a challenging 1-1 draw against Venezuela in the World Cup qualifying match. The game, which took place at Estadio Monumental de Maturín, saw difficult conditions due to heavy rain, making it tough for both teams to play at their best. Despite Argentina’s strong position in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, the wet and waterlogged pitch severely impacted the flow of the game. Here’s a breakdown of the match and reactions from Messi, his teammates, and coach Lionel Scaloni.

The Soaked Pitch and Its Impact on the Game

The Estadio Monumental de Maturín was drenched by heavy rain before kickoff, resulting in a soaked and soggy pitch. The poor condition of the field delayed the start of the game and continued to be a major factor throughout the match. Although Argentina initially took the lead with a goal from Nicolás Otamendi, Venezuela fought back in the second half with a goal from Salomón Rondón, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

The match was marred by the inability of the teams to perform their usual style of play. According to Lionel Messi, the condition of the pitch made it extremely difficult to connect passes and maintain any consistent rhythm in the game.

Messi’s Reaction

Speaking to TyC Sports after the game, Messi didn’t hide his disappointment. He described the game as “very ugly” and attributed much of Argentina’s struggle to the condition of the pitch.

“It was very difficult, it makes for very ugly matches,” Messi said. “We could not complete two passes in a row. In the second half we did it on the right a little more, but it is difficult to play like that. Very little is played.”

Messi highlighted how Argentina had to adapt to the poor playing conditions and adjust their strategy, which wasn’t easy. He also mentioned how the team was forc to abandon its original game plan due to the unplayable field, leading to a scrappy and uncoordinated style of play.

“We tied because the field didn’t help us do what we wanted, we had to do another game than the one prepared for,” Messi said. “We did the game we could with the water.”

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Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul’s Frustration

Rodrigo De Paul, one of Argentina’s key midfielders, echoed Messi’s concerns. De Paul explained how difficult it was to play any form of real football due to the condition of the field.

“In this case, we couldn’t play football,” De Paul said.

This sentiment was shared by many, including Argentina’s coaching staff, who were clearly frustrat by the fact that a match of such importance was played under such unfavorable conditions.

Coach Lionel Scaloni’s Concerns About the Pitch

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also spoke out about the poor condition of the pitch, expressing disbelief that a game of this magnitude was allowed to be play on such a surface.

“It [the pitch] did not meet the minimal conditions for a football game,” Scaloni said. “You couldn’t play. We did what we had to do, but the conditions of the playing field were not for a match against two teams of this kind of level.”

Scaloni’s remarks made it clear that the condition of the pitch had a major impact on the team’s ability to perform and that it wasn’t a suitable environment for top-tier teams like Argentina and Venezuela to compete.

Messi’s Return to Action

Thursday’s match was Messi’s first game back with Argentina after recovering from an ankle injury that had sidelined him for two months. The injury occurred during the Copa América final against Colombia in July 2024. Messi missed several games for his club, Inter Miami CF, and also skipped Argentina’s September international matches to focus on his recovery.

Reflecting on his long-awaited return to international football, Messi shared his thoughts:

“The wait to play again [with Argentina] was too long,” Messi said. “I also missed many games with my club. I am happy to return, to continue adding consecutive games and to be here again.”

Despite the frustrating result against Venezuela, Messi expressed his happiness at being back on the field, even though his return to 100% fitness was still a work in progress. He had rejoined Inter Miami in mid-September but decided to miss the September FIFA window to avoid any risks and continue his recovery.

“I hadn’t played yet and I had little training at the moment of the call,” Messi added. “From a physical point of view, the ankle was bothering me. We both decided that I wasn’t ready and it was best to stay and train with my team to complete my recovery.”

Now, fully back in action, Messi is eager to continue playing for Argentina and will be looking ahead to their next match against Bolivia in Buenos Aires.

Looking Ahead: Argentina vs Bolivia

With the 1-1 draw behind them, Argentina is now preparing to host Bolivia at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires. Messi expressed his excitement about returning to Argentina to play in front of home fans:

“I miss playing in Argentina, so now I am happy,” Messi said.

The Bolivia match will offer Argentina a chance to redeem themselves after the frustrating performance against Venezuela. With their World Cup qualification campaign well underway, Messi and his teammates will aim to get back to winning ways and secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup.

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Conclusion

The 1-1 draw between Venezuela and Argentina was a challenging game, not just for the players but also for the fans who expected a more fluid performance from the reigning World Cup champions. The soaked pitch was a major factor in preventing both teams from playing at their best, leading to a scrappy, hard-fought match. Messi’s frustration was evident, but the Argentina team will look to bounce back in their next game against Bolivia, with the hope that better conditions will allow them to showcase their true potential.

This match was a reminder of how external factors like weather and pitch conditions can greatly impact the quality of a football game, regardless of the talent on the field. Despite the disappointing result, Argentina remains at the top of the CONMEBOL standings and will continue to push forward on their journey to the World Cup.