Lionel Messi’s return for Argentina ends in 3-1 defeat against Venezuela

Lionel Messi made a disappointing return to Argentina duty as he was injured in a 3-1 defeat by Venezuela.

Barcelona forward Messi missed six internationals during a self-imposed exile following defeat by eventual winners France at the 2018 World Cup.

Messi, 31, finished the match but felt pain in his groin and will sit out Tuesday's friendly against Morocco.

The injury, described as a flare up of an existing problem, is not thought to be serious.

In a friendly between the two South American sides held in Madrid, Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon put Venezuela ahead after six minutes before Jhon Murillo doubled the lead just before half-time.

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

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 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.

Line-ups

Argentina

1Armani
29FoythBooked at 44mins
2MercadoSubstituted forKannemannat 45'minutes
14MartínezSubstituted forBlancoat 45'minutes
24Montiel
20Lo CelsoBooked at 54minsSubstituted forPereyraat 78'minutes
5Paredes
3Tagliafico
10Messi
18MartínezSubstituted forSuárezat 45'minutes
22MartínezSubstituted forBenedettoat 70'minutes

Substitutes

4Kannemann
7Pereyra
8Acuña
9Benedetto
12Marchesín
13Marcone
19Zaracho
21Dybala
25Blanco
26Saravia
27Suárez
32Musso

Venezuela

1Fariñez
20HernándezBooked at 47mins
3OsorioBooked at 63mins
2VillanuevaBooked at 33mins
16Rosales
15MurilloSubstituted forHurtadoat 89'minutes
18HerreraSubstituted forSoteldoat 64'minutes
5Moreno
8RincónBooked at 82mins
11MachísSubstituted forAñor Acostaat 79'minutesBooked at 87mins
23RondónBooked at 56minsSubstituted forMartínezat 72'minutes

Substitutes

4Chancellor
7Añor Acosta
9Córdova
10Soteldo
13Seijas
14Del Pino
17Martínez
21González
22Romo Perez
24Figuera
25Aristeguieta
26Hurtado

Referee:: José María Sánchez Martínez

Match Stats

Home TeamArgentinaAway TeamVenezuela

Possession: Home66%; Away34%

Shots: Home11; Away7

Shots on Target: Home3; Away4

Corners: Home9; Away2

Fouls: Home14; Away17

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Argentina 1, Venezuela 3.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+3'

Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Venezuela 3.

Posted at 90'+1'

Matías Suárez (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Ronald Hernández (Venezuela).

Posted at 90'+1'

Juan Foyth (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Juanpi (Venezuela).

Posted at 90'

Domingo Blanco (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 90'

Foul by Roberto Rosales (Venezuela).

Substitution

Posted at 89'

Substitution, Venezuela. Jan Carlos Hurtado replaces Jhon Murillo.

Posted at 88'

Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.

Booking

Posted at 87'

Juanpi (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 87'

Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 87'

Foul by Juanpi (Venezuela).

Posted at 86'

Attempt missed. Darío Benedetto (Argentina)Read More

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Lionel Messi made a disappointing return to Argentina duty as he was injured in a 3-1 defeat by Venezuela.

Barcelona forward Messi missed six internationals during a self-imposed exile following defeat by eventual winners France at the 2018 World Cup.

Messi, 31, finished the match but felt pain in his groin and will sit out Tuesday's friendly against Morocco.

The injury, described as a flare up of an existing problem, is not thought to be serious.

In a friendly between the two South American sides held in Madrid, Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon put Venezuela ahead after six minutes before Jhon Murillo doubled the lead just before half-time.

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

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 by manager Lionel Scaloni.