How Messi Inspired Argentina in Farewell Qualifier

On Thursday, Lionel Messi produced a fairytale performance in what was promoted as his last game in Buenos Aires by scoring twice to inspire Argentina to beat Venezuela 3-0 in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying.

Messi scored in the 39th and 80th minutes in front of a celebrating crowd of 80,000 in the Mas Monumental Stadium in his last qualifier to play with the national team- Argentina had already earned their spot in the tournament next year in North America.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who will be approaching his 39th year by the 2026 World Cup, dazzled his way through the night, once again proving his timeless status as Lionel Scaloni prepares to defend his crown.

The coach has affirmed that Messi will be given a rest next week when they will play a dead rubber with Ecuador.

Scaloni said it was a tremendous job and he needed to rest and spend time with his family. Physically he was tired, and ought to have pulled up, but he continued owing to the emotional character of the scene.

Messi brought his three sons on the field of play before the match, and his father Jorge was present to celebrate the special evening.

In the rest of South America, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay were all assured of their places in the 2026 finals.

Uruguay easily made their reservation with a 3-0 demolition of Peru at a full-house Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.

Rodrigo Aguirre scored a soaring header in the 14th minute and Giorgian de Arrascaeta added a second goal just before the hour, followed by Federico Vinas at the end of the game.

The outcome was the qualification of a third national team to the World Cup by Marcelo Bielsa, 70.

Colombia also fared well beating Bolivia 3-0. The 31st-minute goal by the breakout star of the 2014 world cup, James Rodriguez, was followed by goals by Jhon Cordoba and Juan Fernando Quintero in the second half.

After a goalless draw with Ecuador at home, Paraguay won their way back to the world stage, the first time to do so since 2010, and this was enough to ensure they qualified.

In the meantime, Brazil–already qualified–stamped out Chile 3-0 at the Maracana. The 18-year-old Chelsea winger Estevao became a first-time international goalscorer, with Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes also scoring.

The qualification race is not over yet as there are six automatic slots open by the 10-country CONMEBOL group and Venezuela is at the seventh position ahead of the last round of games.