Lionel Messi blamed the conditions of the pitch Estadio Monumental de Maturín for Argentina's "ugly' 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday night in their first World Cup qualifier of the October international window.

Lionel Messi's Argentina drew Venezuela 1-1 in a South American World Cup qualifying match Thursday that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in the Venezuelan city of Maturin.

Venezuela pulled off a fantastic result in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 draw vs. Argentina on Thursday. During a pause in the game for an injury there was a small skirmish between Lionel Messi and Venezuela’s Yeferson Soteldo.

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in the South America's World Cup qualifiers.

Lionel Messi seemingly faulted the poor pitch for Argentina's frustrating draw with Venezuela in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday.

Lionel Messi played the full match on a heavily waterlogged pitch as Argentina drew 1-1 against Venezuela in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying gets back underway in what has been a topsy turvy run so far for South American teams through eight rounds of play. Lionel Messi will return for Argentina with the team still in first place during qualifying but Colombia and Uruguay are hot on their heels.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, played to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers. Messi assisted Otamendi's goal under challenging weather conditions. Venezuela's Salomon Rondon equalized with a header.

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in the South America's World Cup qualifiers. Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July,