International Friendly: Venezuela hammer Argentina 3 - 1 despite Messi's return

Barcelona forward returned to international action for Argentina, however, could not help them beat Venezuela - Reuters/DailyMail

Venezuela hammered 🔨🔨Argentina with a shocking 3 - 1 win despite Lionel Messi's return to the squad.


It's Messi's first international appearance for his country since the end of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Barcelona forward Messi has missed six internationals following a self-imposed exile since losing to eventual winners France in the last 16 in Russia.

Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon scored on six minutes before Jhon Murillo doubled the lead just before half-time.

Lautaro Martinez pulled a goal back, but Josef Martinez added Venezuela's third with a penalty.

Argentina 1 - 3 Venezuela - Getty/BBC

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, Chelsea's on-loan striker Gonzalo Higuain and Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi were all left out of the squad for the friendly by manager Lionel Scaloni.

Despite five substitutions being made by Argentina, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala failed to make it off the bench although Watford's Roberto Pereyra did play the final 12 minutes at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.