Sophia
Buenos Aires is set for an emotionally charged night as Argentina, already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosts Venezuela in their final home qualifier. While La Albiceleste seeks to conclude their dominant campaign with another victory, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Lionel Messi, who is widely expected to play his last competitive home match for the national team.
For Venezuela, however, this fixture carries monumental weight. Fernando Batista’s squad finds themselves in a precarious seventh position, which would grant them an intercontinental playoff spot – a historic first for the nation. With just a one-point lead over Bolivia, every pass, tackle, and shot against the reigning World Champions will be vital.
A Fond Farewell for a Legend
The Estadio Más Monumental will be buzzing with an electrifying atmosphere as nearly 100,000 fans gather to pay tribute to Lionel Messi. The captain, Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer in CONMEBOL qualifiers, has delivered countless unforgettable moments, and this match promises to be a poignant farewell to his home crowd in competitive international play.
Argentina’s qualification for the World Cup was secured well in advance, and they currently command a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the standings. While the result may not alter their World Cup destiny, the desire to send Messi off with a celebratory win will be palpable.
Venezuela’s Date with Destiny
In stark contrast to Argentina’s celebratory mood, Venezuela faces what are arguably the most crucial matches in their footballing history. Currently occupying the intercontinental playoff spot, La Vinotinto is on the cusp of achieving a World Cup berth for the very first time. Their one-point advantage over Bolivia means that every point earned in these final qualifiers is gold.
While an away fixture against Argentina is a daunting prospect, the immense stakes will undoubtedly fuel Venezuela’s determination to pull off an upset or, at the very least, secure a valuable draw.
Match Details
- Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Stadium: Estadio Más Monumental
- Date: Thursday, September 4
- Kick-off Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT / 12:30 a.m. BST (Sept. 5)
- Referee: Piero Maza
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Argentina holds the clear advantage in recent encounters:
- Argentina: 3 wins
- Venezuela: 1 win
- Draws: 1
Their last meeting, a 1-1 draw in October 2024, showed Venezuela’s capacity to frustrate the Argentinians.
Current Form (All Competitions)
Argentina
- Argentina 1–1 Colombia – 6/10/25
- Chile 0–1 Argentina – 6/5/25
- Argentina 4–1 Brazil – 3/25/25
- Uruguay 0–1 Argentina – 3/21/25
- Argentina 1–0 Peru – 11/18/25
Venezuela
- Uruguay 2–0 Venezuela – 6/10/25
- Venezuela 2–0 Bolivia – 6/6/25
- Venezuela 1–0 Peru – 3/25/25
- Ecuador 2–1 Venezuela – 3/18/25
- USMNT 3–1 Venezuela – 1/18/25
Team News and Lineups
Argentina
With a World Cup ticket already secured, Lionel Scaloni’s squad will be looking to cap off their qualifying journey in style. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, expect a strong lineup as they aim to deliver a memorable performance for Messi’s potential send-off.
Emiliano Martínez, fresh from his transfer saga, will take his place between the posts. In midfield, Enzo Fernández is suspended, but Alexis Mac Allister, despite a travel hiccup, is expected to feature. Scaloni is likely to field a similar defensive setup to the one that triumphed in the World Cup final.
Argentina Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister; Messi, Martínez, Álvarez.
Venezuela
Venezuela enters this match as the clear underdog, but their motivation will be sky-high. Real Oviedo striker and national legend Salomón Rondón, with 45 international goals to his name, will lead the line, hoping to add to his tally in this crucial encounter.
Rafael Romo will deputize for the injured José Contreras in goal. Inter Miami’s Telasco Segovia could feature against his club teammates, while Yeferson Soteldo and Jefferson Savarino are also strong contenders for starting berths.
Venezuela Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Romo; Aramburu, Ferraresi, Ángel, Navarro; Casseres, Pereira; Savarino, Segovia, Soteldo; Rondón.
Score Prediction
Argentina will be determined to ensure Lionel Messi’s final competitive home game for La Albiceleste is a memorable one. Venezuela, while highly motivated, will likely adopt a cautious approach, aiming to absorb pressure and hit on the counter-attack.
However, the sheer quality and depth of Lionel Scaloni’s squad, particularly in midfield, where there’s a significant mismatch, will likely prove too much for the visitors. Argentina’s attacking prowess, fueled by the occasion, should find a way through Venezuela’s resilient defense.
Prediction: Argentina 3–0 Venezuela
While Venezuela will put up a valiant fight, Argentina’s desire to celebrate their captain and finish their qualifying campaign on a high note should see them secure a comfortable victory, leaving Venezuela to battle for their World Cup dream in the final qualifier.
