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.

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.

Despite the poor pitch conditions, Lionel Mess’s Argentina took the lead through Nicolas Otamendi before Salomon Rondon scored the equaliser for Venezuela in the second half.

CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying is back underway and Lionel Messi is back in the Argentina squad for the first time since the Copa America. Messi injured his ankle in the final of that match against Colombia,

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Thursday.The move has paid off,

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.

With Lionel Messi sidelined, Argentina did lose to Colombia in September while also defeating Chile. The Inter Miami star has returned for the October window and appears fit and ready to go.