BUENOS AIRES, March 26, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Lionel Messi scored on his return to
the national team as Argentina stretched their world-leading unbeaten run to
30 matches with a routine 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela on
Friday.

Goals from Nicolas Gonzalez and Angel Di Maria, both created by Rodrigo De
Paul, also kept a packed Bombonera stadium enthralled in Buenos Aires for a
match that had nothing riding on it.

Argentina have long qualified for the World Cup in Qatar later this year,
while Venezuela were the first team in South America's single 10-nation
qualification group to be eliminated.

The victory kept Argentina just four points behind group leaders Brazil with
two matches to go.

Venezuela are now guaranteed to finish bottom after a 13th defeat in 17
qualifiers so far.

All four automatic qualification spots have been decided ahead of next week's
qualification finale, with Uruguay and Ecuador booking their tickets to Qatar
on Thursday night.

The only thing that remains undecided is who will finish fifth and head into
an intercontinental qualification play-off.

Peru lead that battle by a point from Colombia and two ahead of Chile.

Argentina dominated from the off and opened the scoring 10 minutes before
half-time as Gonzalez managed to stay onside to slide in De Paul's precise
right wing cross from six yards.

Messi was heavily involved on his return, having been rested for Argentina's
previous two qualifiers.

The veteran seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had three shots at goal from direct
free-kicks but was unable to even test goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez.

Substitute Di Maria finally secured the victory 11 minutes from time when he
ran onto De Paul's inch perfect ball from deep, before cutting inside onto
his left foot and chipping the ball over Farinez and a back-peddling defender
on the line.

Moments later, Di Maria turned provider, dinking the ball into the area where
Messi arrived unmarked with time to control the ball on his chest before
scuffing a shot home from six yards out.