Argentina Held to Draw by Venezuela in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Argentina’s national football team was held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with Lionel Messi returning to the team. Despite the draw, Argentina remains on course for a place in the 2026 finals.
The match, which took place on Tuesday, saw Argentina dominate possession but struggle to create clear-cut chances. Venezuela, on the other hand, were content to sit back and defend, looking to hit Argentina on the counter-attack.
It was Venezuela who took the lead in the 51st minute, with striker Salomon Rondon scoring a well-placed header from a corner. Argentina responded quickly, however, with Messi playing a key role in the equalizer. The Barcelona forward picked up the ball on the edge of the box and played a perfectly weighted pass to Angel Di Maria, who finished calmly past the Venezuelan goalkeeper.
Despite pushing for a winner, Argentina were unable to break down Venezuela’s resolute defense, and the match ended in a draw. The result leaves Argentina in second place in the South American qualifying group, behind leaders Uruguay.
Brazil Secure Last-Gasp Victory Over Chile
In another match on Tuesday, Brazil secured a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile to get their qualifying campaign back on track. The win moves Brazil into fourth place in the standings.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances in the first half. It was Chile who took the lead, however, with midfielder Arturo Vidal scoring from the penalty spot in the 26th minute.
Brazil responded well to going behind, and they were rewarded in the 66th minute when striker Gabriel Jesus scored a well-placed header from a corner. The match looked to be heading for a draw, but Brazil had other ideas. In the 90th minute, substitute Roberto Firmino scored the winner, tapping in from close range after a cross from the left.
The win is a much-needed boost for Brazil, who had drawn their previous two matches in the qualifiers. The victory moves them into fourth place in the standings, just one point behind third-placed Colombia.
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers are shaping up to be a closely contested affair, with several teams vying for a place in the finals. Despite dropping points, Argentina remains on course for a place in the tournament, while Brazil will be hoping to build on their last-gasp victory over Chile.
With several matches still to be played, it remains to be seen which teams will ultimately qualify for the 2026 World Cup. One thing is for sure, however – football fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see which teams come out on top.