Messi bows out on home soil with brace as Argentina routs Venezuela 3-0

Argentina delivered a commanding performance in their 3-0 victory over Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier that carried immense emotional weight. Played at the monumental Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on September 4, 2025, this match marked Lionel Messi’s final competitive appearance on home soil. The stadium was brimming with approximately 87,000 supporters, honoring the captain’s remarkable legacy .

Argentina’s dominance was clear from the outset. Messi, visibly moved as he entered the field with his children, opened the scoring in the 39th minute. He later added a second—a delicate and precise finish that summed up the grace and brilliance of his career . Sandwiched between Messi’s goals, Lautaro Martínez headed home Argentina’s second just moments before the 75th minute, reinforcing the home side’s control .

Argentina’s overall performance was a blend of emotion and efficiency. The young Franco Mastantuono, making his first senior international start, impressed with composed play and an 86% passing accuracy across 69 touches before making way shortly after the hour mark . Venezuela, meanwhile, struggled to test Argentina’s defense and failed to register a shot on target throughout the match .

The crowd’s reaction mirrored the significance of the night. Supporters chanted Messi’s name, visibly moved by the farewell scene. The veteran star, teary-eyed but resolute, acknowledged the fans’ affection and admitted that, given his age, this may well be his last World Cup in competitive form . His heartfelt display—and a potential hat-trick sadly annulled by an offside call—ensured a fitting and unforgettable farewell .

With this result, Argentina capped their home campaign emphatically and remain atop the South American qualifying table with 38 points. Having secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, they turn their attention to their remaining fixture away against Ecuador . Venezuela, now in seventh place, faces a must-win scenario in their final match versus Colombia to salvage their hopes via the intercontinental playoffs .

The match encapsulated both the beauty of Argentine football and a generational shift. Messi’s magical finale on local soil was matched by flashes of promise from emerging talents like Mastantuono and Nico Paz. It was a night that honored an era—and looked forward to the future, all in one sweeping gesture of footballing sentiment and superior play.