The conditions of the playing field have forced the start of the match between Venezuela and Argentina to be delayed by 30 minutes corresponding to the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Due to the large amount of water due to heavy rains in the Monumental de Maturín caused the match to be delayed almost 30 minutes. The Argentine National Team considered that the playing field was not suitable to be able to play normally. Even though the organization wanted to play the match today and in the end it was possible.
25 minutes later than expected start, Both teams took to the field of play at the Monumental stadium in Maturín. The national anthems were played first, first that of the current world champion, who was playing as a visitor today, and then that of Venezuela, which was playing as a local.
The match corresponded to matchday 9 of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. During this break, Venezuela is also scheduled to play against Paraguay in the early hours of Tuesday to Wednesday, while Argentina will host Bolivia that same day.
Another of the attractions of this match It was the return of Leo Messi. The ’10’ of the albiceleste was chosen as one of Scaloni’s starters. However, the conditions of the playing field made his return a few minutes worse. Messi had not played with the Argentina National Team since the Copa América final where they managed to lift the title. The Argentine legend missed the last national team break due to an injury, which kept him off the playing field for two months. In his return with Inter Miami he has managed to score five goals.
