Giovani Lo Celso scores only goal as Argentina defeat Venezuela in Miami

Argentina defeated Venezuela 1–0 in an international football friendly match played on Friday in Miami, Florida – though some US fans were disappointed by the lack of Lionel Messi.

The Albiceleste dominated throughout and secured the win thanks to a first-half goal from Giovani Lo Celso in the 31st minute, but never had to fully extend themselves

Despite the absence of captain Messi, Argentina still dominated at the Hard Rock Stadium, where only around 15,000 of 65,000 seats were filled.

Lionel Scaloni’s side did not need to reach their best but they played with focus, relying on the attacking quality of forwards Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez and the energetic runs of overlapping full-back Nahuel Molina.

From a box in the stands, Messi – who has lived in Florida since signing for Inter Miami in 2023 – watched on with his family.

His involvement had been in doubt all week, with speculation that he might be released to play on Saturday in a key MLS fixture to boost his club side's play-off hopes.

“I decided that Leo wouldn’t play,” Scaloni said after the match, explaining the choice as a tactical decision to pair Álvarez and Martínez up front.

Argentina took control from the outset, dominating possession and pressing high to pin Venezuela back.

La Vinotinto, led by interim coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, needs to move past the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup. But Venezuela struggled to string together more than three passes and rarely got into Argentina's half.

In one of their few forays forward, striker Alejandro Marqués missed a clear chance when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

Retribution came swiftly. In the very next move, after a fine combination with Álvarez, Martínez found Lo Celso on the left, and the midfielder beat goalkeeper José Contreras with a crisp left-footed strike.

The second half mirrored the first, with Argentina well on top and Venezuela unable to escape the constant pressure. The Albiceleste came close to a second on several occasions but lacked the killer instinct, failing to beat the impressive Contreras.

As in the first half, Venezuela squandered a golden chance when defender Teo Quintero struck the crossbar, dashing his side’s hopes.

Argentina will face Puerto Rico on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, north of Miami.

Scaloni did not rule out Messi’s participation in the match at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium.

Shortly before kick-off against Venezuela, Argentina’s national team announced that Real Madrid wonderkid Franco Mastantuono would miss both October friendlies due to a muscle overload in his left thigh.

Line-ups:

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina (Leonardo Balerdi, 78'), Cristian Romero (C), Marcos Senesi, Nicolás Tagliafico (Nico González, 45'); Enzo Fernández (Alexis Mac Allister, 78'), Leandro Paredes (Giuliano Simeone, 63'), Giovani Lo Celso; Nicolás Paz, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez (Rodrigo De Paul, 78'). Coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Venezuela: José Contreras; Jon Aramburu (Ronald Hernández, 78'), Alessandro Milani, Nahuel Ferraresi, Teo Quintero; Juan Pablo Añor Acosta (Carlos Faya, 78'), Telasco Segovia (Wiki Carmona, 83'), Cristian Cásseres, Kervin Andrade (Matías Lacava, 58'); Gleiker Mendoza, Alejandro Marqués (Kevin Kelsy, 58'). Coach: Oswaldo Vizcarrondo.