Messi fires brace as Argentina cruise in World Cup Qualifier

Lionel Messi turned Buenos Aires into a carnival ground on Thursday night, bagging a brace as Argentina brushed aside Venezuela 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier.

The reigning champions had already punched their ticket to the 2026 finals, but all eyes were on Messi, who struck in the 39th and 80th minutes at the jam-packed Mas Monumental Stadium.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who will be 39 when the tournament kicks off in the US, Canada, and Mexico, was given a hero’s ovation by 80,000 fans. In emotional scenes, Messi walked out with his three sons while his father, Jorge, looked on, a sign this may have been his final home qualifier in Argentina colours.

Elsewhere in South America, Uruguay booked their World Cup spot in style with a 3-0 demolition of Peru in Montevideo. Rodrigo Aguirre, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and Federico Vinas all found the net as Marcelo Bielsa, the 70-year-old master tactician, guided a third different national team to the biggest stage of them all.

Colombia also joined the party with a routine 3-0 win over Bolivia. James Rodriguez, Jhon Cordoba, and Juan Fernando Quintero delivered the goals that lit up Barranquilla.

Paraguay only needed a point against Ecuador, and that’s exactly what they got in a goalless stalemate to confirm their return to the global stage for the first time since 2010.

With Brazil already safely through, South America’s big guns are lining up nicely for 2026. Venezuela, however, are hanging on to seventh place with one more qualifier left to decide their fate.