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Argentine Lionel Messi has regained his international title for the first time since the World Cup on Friday but the night was disappointing for the striker as his team sank 3 to 1 against Venezuela at from a friendly match in Madrid.
Messi showed flashes of brilliance but it was not his night as Venezuela placed for the first time its most illustrious rival among its most illustrious rivals with goals from Salomon Rondon, Jhon Murillo and Josef Martinez. Lautaro Martinez scored the consolation of Argentina.
The team announced after the defeat that Messi would miss Tuesday's match against Morocco as a precaution following a groin injury. Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez of Atlanta United will also miss the game in Tangier because of a thigh injury.
After the match, Argentine coach Luis Scaloni said: "The second half left us with positive things and the first half with negative things, and better, they went that way.
"We learned a lot from this defeat, and the situations we created are largely due to Messi, which allowed us to see how [the others] played alongside Messi. "
Messi took a sabbatical after his country 's early departure from last year' s finals in Russia, but he returned with a new, well – shaved look to become the team captain in the US. South American deal at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium of Atletico Madrid.
Venezuela had beaten Argentina only once in 23 previous games, but they made a perfect start after five minutes when Rondon scored a long pbad and blocked a shot in front of goalkeeper Franco Armani .
Rondon should have made two with a header in the 40th but the second goal was only moments later, Murillo taking advantage of a quick free kick to spin to the edge of the area and shoot a nice shot right foot in the far corner of the net.
Lautaro Martinez ended a superb counter-attack to bring Argentina back into the match after 59 minutes, but their hopes were in vain and Venezuelan Josef Martinez scored 3-1 from the penalty spot, a quarter behind him. from the end time.
"In the first half, we created opportunities, but they scored twice when we made mistakes," Lautaro Martinez said. "In the second half, we played well and moved the ball, but they got that penalty and we need to keep improving."
And striker Dario Benedetto added: "Messi is the best player in the world and we have to adapt in the fastest way possible."
After the match, the boss of Venezuela, Rafael Dudamel, announced that he would give up this position because of the political situation surrounding the team.
The country is plunged into a persistent political and constitutional crisis. More than 50 countries have accused President Nicolas Maduro of recognizing Juan Guaido as acting leader.
A representative from Guaido posted a photo of the meeting with the team before the match and Dudamel said: "I spoke with the vice president and put my work at the disposal of the directors because during time, we navigate in a very agitated atmosphere, waters, everything has been politicized and I am the coach of the whole country "
Dudamel added that he would continue as coach for Venezuela's next match Monday against Catalonia.
Reuters information was used in this story.
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