Stumbling the champions

Stumbling the champions

Lionel Messi could be on the pitch (since winning the Copa America 2024) in the match against Venezuela in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America, which will occur at 04:00 on October 11. However, with the home advantage, Venezuela could make it much harder for the world champions even though

Argentina won 3 out of 4 away matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. However, away matches against countries in the Conmebol region are always difficult for all teams, even having the reigning South American and world champions. Albiceleste in particular have lost some confidence after their defeat last September against Colombia, with James Rodriguez shining.

Albiceleste fans can console themselves with the defeat due to the absence of Messi in the squad, but there is no denying the clear progress of Venezuela in recent times. Along with Bolivia, Venezuela is considered one of the two weakest national teams in the South American region, but they are causing a big surprise by rising to 6th in the rankings with 10 points after 8 rounds, equal with the "giant" Brazil and only 1 point behind the 4th team Ecuador. Notably, this "tiny" team once held the "giant" Brazil to a draw right on the away field in the 3rd match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the South American region. Venezuela's captain, Fernando Batista, is Argentine and he understands that the points won against his home team in that match will contribute to concretizing Venezuela's ambition to get on the "boat" to the 2026 World Cup. So for Venezuela, every match will be considered a final and they will play with all their determination and without compromise. Especially when facing Argentina at home, in the last 3 times Venezuela has only lost 1 match. Inconclusion, Venezuela will probably keep at least 1 point after this match.

Prediction: 1-1