The number 10 expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance in a challenging match but celebrated his return to the National Team.
Messi returned to the Argentina National Team in the 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday night (10th), in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Argentina will be back on the field against Bolivia on Tuesday (15th) at 9 PM (Brasília time), at the Monumental de Núñez in Argentina. Messi commented on the joy of playing at home: “I’m happy because I miss playing in Argentina. I’m happy. We have a long trip back, a few days to rest and prepare for the home game.”
How the match went
The first half was marked by a lot of rain, Messi went unnoticed, and 19 fouls were committed. The heavy rain soaked the pitch, causing difficulties and delaying the start of the match by 30 minutes. The ball was in play very little, and Argentina managed to take the lead with a goal from Otamendi from a set piece, after a rebound. On the other hand, Messi struggled to shine, as the heavy field hindered collective play. The 19 fouls recorded also prevented the match from flowing with greater intensity, showing how the pitch conditions affected both teams.
In the second half, the scenario changed. The pitch dried up, and Venezuela, which was recovering from an initial scare, was able to improve its performance. With a more offensive posture, the home team pressured and equalized with Rondón, in the 65th minute, after a beautiful cross from Soteldo. Even with superior attacking efforts, Venezuela could not turn the game around, and the match ended in a draw.
Goals and highlights
The ball rolling? Not quite... The game was delayed by 30 minutes. The Monumental Stadium in Maturín was heavily battered by intense rain during the afternoon. Although the weather improved in the late afternoon, the pitch conditions remained complicated. Because of this, the referee decided to delay the start of the match. The field was extremely soaked, which hindered the ball circulation and delayed the live football match.
