The Argentine National Team passed through Maturín and, although he achieved a tie that allows him to remain comfortable at the top of the South American Qualifiers Heading to the 2026 World Cup that will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, there was the feeling that something more could have been achieved if the playing field had been in optimal conditions. In that scenario, passed through water, the return of Lionel Messi took place, who accomplished a good task.
Meanwhile, the highest points of the National Team were in the goal and in defense. Gerónimo Rulli made Emiliano Dibu Martínez forget, Nicolás Otamendi scored the team’s only goal, but failed in Venezuela’s tie and Germán Pezzella was the figure in a very complicated one-on-one with Salomón Rondón.
Below is the Argentine National Team report card:
Geronimo Rulli – 7
The Olympique de Marseille goalkeeper did not miss the opportunity to show himself in the National Team’s goal in light of the FIFA suspension against Emiliano Back Martinez. With a difficult court and the ball wet, the player from La Plata was confident in the first half, did not rebound and was always well stopped. In the second half, he made a world-class save against a header from Yangel Herrera. There was little he could do about Rondón’s goal.
Nahuel Molina – 6
He started as a right back and then moved to midfield. In both functions he had acceptable performance. First he nullified Yeferson Soteldo and then he joined the attack well. He ended up tired.
German Pezzella – 8
He was the figure of the National Team in Maturín. He had the most complicated one: marking Salomón Rondón and he won the duel clearly both from above and one-on-one. He arrived affected by the microfracture in his jaw, but Scaloni opted for him to replace Cuti Romero and made sure the Cordoba native would not be missed.
Nicolás Otamendi – 6
The defender scored the partial 1-0 in Maturín after capturing a rebound in the rival area and has three shouts in the Qualifiers that were already worth 7 points. He scored 1-0 against Paraguay and against Brazil, at the Maracaná. He had a good game in general terms, but failed in Salomón Rondón’s goal.
Nicolas Tagliafico – 6
Another that had been missing on the two previous dates (Chile and Colombia) for not reaching 100 physically. On a heavy playing field, he closed his side against Jefferson Savarino. He went on the attack a little and when he did, it was difficult for him to be precise.
Rodrigo DePaul – 6
The most outstanding of the half of the field. The former Racing midfielder settled in well despite the fact that the playing field conditions undermined his virtues. In any case, he managed to be the “motor” of the team and put a pass between the lines in the second half to leave Messi one-on-one. Clue.
Enzo Fernandez – 6
It was difficult for him to settle in the first half, but he raised his level in the second half, when the court was already less loaded with water. He contributed his physical ability to relieve his teammates and always tried to play. He didn’t weigh in on the attack.
Giovani Lo Celso – 5
The most affected by the playing field. The Betis left-hander – who had been on a scoring streak in Spain – was dealt a trick by the water and his neat play was not seen close to the ground. He was replaced in the second half.
Poor match by Lo Celso. Photo: EFEThiago Almada – 5
The former Vélez and a great presence in Botafogo – Libertadores semi-finalist – could not impose his dribble. He played on the left as an offensive midfielder, but was unable to overwhelm. It was Scaloni’s big bet to replace Nicolás González, one of the injured, but he was far from his best level.
Julián Álvarez – 5
He played as a 9, in the center of the attack. The Córdoban player was diluted among the Venezuelan centre-backs, who marked him well. When he went out to play, it was difficult for him to impose his rhythm on a playing field full of puddles. It brought the usual pressure and physical exhaustion. There were almost no goal situations.
Lionel Messi – 6
The Argentine captain reappeared in the team after the injury in the Copa América final, on July 14, and looked fit. He owned the team, as always, and showed glimpses of his talent. He had the victory at his feet, but goalkeeper Romo beat him one-on-one after a magical pass from De Paul.
Messi showed bursts of his genius. Photo EFEGonzalo Montiel – 5
The full-back entered through Almada to close the right side and free Molina. He went on the attack well, but fell asleep in Venezuela’s goal. Soteldo stopped him with a dribble and sent the center for Rondón’s header. He failed at the key moment and Argentina lost two points.
Leonardo Balerdi – 6
The left central defender trained in Boca and with a great presence in Olympique de Marseille entered well and was able to show himself in an official match (only the third he has played). It is a Scaloni project that can become a fixture. In Venezuela he showed a show of character in a complicated match.
Leandro Paredes (-)
He came on at the end instead of Enzo Fernández. He settled well on the field, but could not make his precision count and argued a lot with his rivals.
Lautaro Martínez (-)
He played little and far from the area. El Toro did not have dangerous plays.