Overview
- Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0 in Buenos Aires, with Messi scoring in the 39th and 80th minutes and Lautaro Martínez adding a 76th-minute header.
- Messi confirmed the Venezuela game was his last World Cup qualifier on home soil and said he has not decided whether to play at the 2026 World Cup.
- A sold-out Monumental crowd of roughly 80,000 gave Messi a rousing send-off as he entered with his children and was visibly in tears before kickoff.
- Coach Lionel Scaloni and Messi agreed he will rest and not travel for the final qualifier in Ecuador as he monitors his fitness.
- Already qualified, Argentina top CONMEBOL with 38 points, and Messi extends his record to 36 goals in South American World Cup qualifying.