The Argentine national team once again demonstrated its strength even without Lionel Messi on the field. Lionel Scaloni's team defeated Venezuela 1-0 in a friendly played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, thanks to a goal by Giovani Lo Celso in the 31st minute. With this result, the world champions extended their unbeaten run in friendly matches to 21 matches, a feat not seen since before the pandemic.

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Messi was a last-minute precautionary withdrawal and watched the match from a box with his family. In his absence, Scaloni opted for a revamped starting eleven that combined experience and youth, with Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, and Nicolas Paz at the forefront. Their attacking approach was consistent, but they repeatedly ran into an inspired Jose Contreras, who prevented a rout with decisive interventions.

The Venezuelan goalkeeper was the star of the match. He saved three shots from Lautaro Martinez, one from Enzo Fernandez, and another from Alvarez, showing remarkable reflexes. His performance prevented the score from becoming more inflated. Venezuela, for its part, also had opportunities. The clearest came with a header from Alejandro Marques, who, with an open goal, sent the ball over the crossbar.

A Vinotinto team in reconstruction and an Argentina in consolidation mode

The match also served to observe the beginning of the interim period of Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, former Club America player, as coach of the Vinotinto. The coach opted for a young squad: only seven of the 33 called up were over 25 years old. Despite the result, his team showed order and moments of high pressure that at times troubled the world champions.

In the second half, both coaches made changes to their benches. Scaloni gave minutes to Nicolas Gonzalez, Giuliano Simeone, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, and Leonardo Balerdi, while Vizcarrondo refreshed his lineup with Kevin Kelsy, Matias Lacava, and Wikelman Carmona.

Argentina maintained control of the ball and created several more chances, including two headers from Balerdi and a shot from Senesi that forced another strong comeback from Contreras. Venezuela, meanwhile, came close to equalizing when Kelsy's shot hit the crossbar off a corner.

With this victory, the Albiceleste arrives strengthened for their next match of the FIFA double date: on Tuesday they will face Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium in Miami. Venezuela, meanwhile, will continue its preparations for the 2026 Qualifiers with a friendly against Belize on Monday in Illinois.