Match report

Argentina Secures 3-0 Win Over Venezuela in World Cup Qualifiers

Argentina
Argentina
3–0
FT
Venezuela
Venezuela
Sep 4, 2025

Argentina secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Venezuela in the South American World Cup Qualifiers. Lionel Messi scored twice, and Leandro Martinez added another goal, making it a decisive win for the reigning champions. Venezuela struggled to contain Argentina's attacking prowess, despite making several substitutions throughout the game.

Key Facts

  • • Lionel Messi scored twice (39', 80')
  • • Leandro Martinez scored (76')
  • • Cristian Casseres Jr. received a yellow card (16')
  • • Carlos Romero received a yellow card (64')

Lineups

Argentina

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Starting XI

  • 23 E. Martinez (G)
  • 2 N. Molina (D)
  • 13 C. Romero (D)
  • 19 N. Otamendi (D)
  • 3 N. Tagliafico (D)
  • 7 R. de Paul (M)
  • 5 L. Paredes (M)
  • 21 F. Mastantuono (M)
  • 16 T. Almada (M)
  • 10 L. Messi (F)
  • 9 J. Alvarez (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 G. Rulli
  • 1 W. Benitez
  • 4 G. Montiel
  • 6 L. Balerdi
  • 8 M. Acuna
  • 11 G. Lo Celso
  • 14 E. Palacios
  • 15 N. Gonzalez
  • 17 G. Simeone
  • 18 N. Paz
  • 20 A. Mac Allister
  • 22 L. Martinez

Venezuela

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 22 R. Romo (G)
  • 4 J. Aramburu (D)
  • 2 N. Ferraresi (D)
  • 3 W. Angel (D)
  • 5 C. Makoun (D)
  • 15 M. Navarro (D)
  • 20 E. Bello (M)
  • 8 T. Rincon (M)
  • 18 C. Casseres (M)
  • 7 J. Savarino (F)
  • 23 S. Rondon (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 W. Farinez
  • 12 A. Baroja
  • 6 L. Flores
  • 9 K. Kelsy
  • 10 Y. Soteldo
  • 11 G. Mendoza
  • 13 D. Pereira
  • 14 J. Mejias
  • 16 J. Yriarte
  • 17 J. Martinez
  • 19 J. Murillo
  • 21 A. Gonzalez

Timeline

  1. Venezuela
    16' Venezuela Card · Yellow Card
    Cristian Cásseres Jr.

    Foul

  2. Argentina
    39' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Messi · Assist: J. Álvarez
  3. Venezuela
    46' Venezuela subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Rincón · On: J. Yriarte
  4. Venezuela
    56' Venezuela subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Miguel Navarro · On: Y. Soteldo
  5. Venezuela
    56' Venezuela subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Rondon · On: Josef Martínez
  6. Venezuela
    60' Venezuela Card · Yellow Card
    J. Aramburu

    Foul

  7. Argentina
    63' Argentina subst · Substitution 1
    Off: F. Mastantuono · On: N. Gonzalez
  8. Argentina
    64' Argentina Card · Yellow Card
    C. Romero

    Foul

  9. Venezuela
    67' Venezuela subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Savarino · On: L. Flores
  10. Argentina
    74' Argentina subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Leandro Paredes · On: E. Palacios
  11. Argentina
    74' Argentina subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Álvarez · On: L. Martinez
  12. Argentina
    76' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Martinez · Assist: N. Gonzalez
  13. Argentina
    80' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Messi · Assist: T. Almada
  14. Argentina
    81' Argentina subst · Substitution 4
    Off: N. Molina · On: G. Simeone
  15. Venezuela
    81' Venezuela subst · Substitution 5
    Off: E. Bello · On: J. Murillo

Match Stats

Stat Argentina Venezuela
Fouls 9 13
Pass Accuracy 93% 74%
Offsides 4 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 17 5
Corners 4 0
Total Passes 832 254
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 3 2
Shots on Target 9 0
xG — —
Shots off Target 5 3
Possession 77% 23%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 777 189
Shots Inside Box 10 0
Saves 0 6
Shots Outside Box 7 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Lionel Messi's early goal at 39' shifted the momentum in Argentina's favor, giving them a psychological edge over Venezuela.
  • ▸ Leandro Martinez's goal at 76' solidified Argentina's lead and effectively sealed the victory, despite Venezuela's subsequent substitutions.