MATURIN, Venezuela, Oct 10 (Askume) – Messi returned to the national team as Argentina drew 1-1 with Venezuela in a South American World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
Captain Messi, 37, returned from injury in the Copa America final against Colombia in July, providing a superb assist for Otamendi on a damp pitch and scoring just 13 minutes in. The game was delayed by half an hour because of heavy rain.
Argentina goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli brilliantly replaced Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez , who had served a two-match ban for offensive conduct, stopping Salomon Rondon’s first-half shot.
However, the resolute Venezuelan forward received a cross from Jefferson Soteldo in the second half and used a superb header to level the score, leaving the team temporarily in sixth place with 11 points.
Five minutes before halftime, coach Lionel Scaloni introduced Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martínez onto the pitch as Argentina looked for the winning goal, but with the pitch damp they were unable to find the target, making the weaknesses of this World Cup-winning team even more apparent.
“It was a poor game. We couldn’t even pass the ball twice in a row because there was water on the pitch and the ball stopped. It’s difficult to play on a pitch like that,” Messi told TyC Sports after the game.
Linebacker Rodrigo DePaul said: “The best conditions for us to play are a good field, good weather and running the ball. We can’t ask for anything more than that, right?”
Argentina maintains its 19-point lead and faces Bolivia on Tuesday, while Venezuela faces Paraguay.
