• Lionel Messi scored twice in Argentina's 3-0 win against Venezuela.
• This match marked Messi's last World Cup qualifier on home soil.
• Argentina has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
• Colombia and Paraguay also secured their World Cup spots.
• The match took place in front of a sold-out crowd at Estadio Monumental.

Lionel Messi made a memorable farewell in his final World Cup qualifier at home, scoring twice as Argentina triumphed 3-0 over Venezuela. The match, held on Thursday at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, witnessed a sold-out crowd of 85,000 fans celebrating Messi's career milestone. The reigning World Cup champions controlled the match, creating numerous chances, before Messi broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with a powerful shot into the top-right corner after receiving a swift pass from Julian Alvarez, according to Reuters.

In an emotional post-match interview, Messi reflected on his career, stating, “Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of.” He noted his longstanding affection from fans, expressing that it was always a joy to play in front of them. Following his first goal, Lautaro Martinez added another for Argentina in the 76th minute, before Messi capped the performance with his second goal four minutes later, assisted by Thiago Almada. “I’ve experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina,” Messi said, according to Al Jazeera and Dawn.

Argentina not only celebrated Messi but also secured their spot in the upcoming World Cup, sitting atop the South American qualifying table with 38 points. The team is set to visit Ecuador for their final match of the qualifiers next week. Venezuela, on the other hand, is at risk of missing out on their first World Cup appearance, remaining at 18 points in the standings and will face Colombia in a crucial matchup for playoff contention, according to Reuters and Dawn.

This match saw not just a historical moment for Messi but also significant outcomes for other South American teams. Paraguay and Colombia secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup alongside Argentina. Paraguay reached the tournament for the first time since 2010, while Colombia sealed their qualification with a 3-0 victory over Bolivia. The matches on this pivotal day shaped the final stages of South America’s World Cup qualifying process, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.