Lionel Messi played his last match for the national team on home soil. Argentina defeated Venezuela 3-0 in the penultimate 17th round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. During the anthems before the start of the match, the low-lying magician came out with his three sons.

He opened the scoring in the 39th minute after an assist from Julián Álvarez. The genius from Rosario added another goal in the 80th minute, and Lautaro Martinez added another goal in the 76th minute.

The next two matches of the "gauchos" are on foreign soil, so Messi practically played his last match in front of an Argentine audience.

Argentina has already secured a visa for next year's World Cup.

Venezuela is aiming for seventh place, which will give them the right to a play-off for next year's World Cup. Levski defender Christian Makun played the entire match for the guests. | BGNES