Argentina 3-0 Venezuela: Messi nets brace in final competitive home game
An emotional Lionel Messi has said he has played his last competitive match in Argentina, and signed off in style at Estadio Mas Monumental.
Lionel Messi scored twice to help Argentina to a 3-0 win over Venezuela in his final World Cup qualifier at home on Thursday.
Argentina have already qualified for next year's World Cup but put a dent in Venezuela's hopes of a first appearance at the major tournament to cap Messi's time in Buenos Aires on a high.
Julian Alvarez almost gave the hosts an early lead from Messi's pullback, as he rifled a first-time effort on goal from the edge of the box, but Rafael Romo was equal to it.
Moments later, Cristian Romero then had a back-post header ruled out for offside before Messi found the breakthrough in the 39th minute, beating Romo with a delightful lob from the middle of the box.
Argentina pushed for a second goal after the break, seeing chances go to waste, as Thiago Almada, under no pressure, sliced a volley well wide of the near post.
Lautaro Martinez eventually gave the hosts a two-goal cushion in the 76th minute, stooping low to meet Nico Gonzalez's low cross to send a header in off the goalkeeper.
Messi got his second just four minutes later; he did not need to break stride as he rushed into the box, turning Almada's low cross into the bottom-left corner first time. He was then denied a hat-trick on his send-off, with a lovely chip over Romo ruled out for offside.
Argentina are still top of the qualifying group, with a 10-point lead over Brazil, but Venezuela remain seventh in the play-off spot, seven points behind Paraguay, who qualified for the World Cup along with Colombia on Thursday.
Data Debrief: Messi steals the show
Argentina will have been determined to send their talismanic captain off with a win after he confirmed he would be playing his last World Cup qualifier on home soil.
But Messi more than played his part too, leading by example, as he had seven of their 17 attempts (four on target), and contributed 0.75 to their expected goals (xG) tally of 1.6.
Venezuela, by contrast, did not get any of their five shots on target (0.32 xG) and were limited to long-range efforts, with none of their shots coming inside the box.
Messi has scored eight goals in World Cup qualifying, more than any other player in South America, helping to extend Argentina's unbeaten streak to six matches.
