Lionel Messi made his return to international duty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela in a South American World Cup qualifier.
Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July, was brilliant in setting up Otamendi on a drenched pitch to open the scoring 13 minutes after kick-off, which was delayed by half an hour due to heavy rain.
Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, filling in for Emiliano Martinez, who is serving a two-match ban for offensive behaviour, produced a fine performance to keep out Salomon Rondon’s first-half efforts.
However, the determined Venezuelan striker equalised in the second half with an header from Yeferson Soteldo’s cross.
“It was an ugly match. We couldn’t even make two passes in a row, the ball stopped because of the water on the pitch. It is difficult to play in these conditions, the pitch did not help,” Messi told TyC Sports after the game.
“The best conditions for us to play is that there is a good pitch, good weather, that the ball runs. We don’t ask for much, do we?” added midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.
Argentina are top of the standings on 19 points, ahead of Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil.
