Argentina vs Venezuela Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | World Cup Qualifiers, 2025

Argentina vs Venezuela Preview

Tournament: CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

Date: Thursday, 4th September 2025

Kick-off Time: 11:30 PM GMT

Venue: Estadio Mas Monumental

The next FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier game of Argentina versus Venezuela is set to be an interesting clash between two South American teams of contrasting recent performance and past record.

Argentina approach the game in good shape, having triumphed in their previous four international games in 2025, which included respectable wins against Brazil and Uruguay in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. Their team has world-renowned players like Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Julian Alvarez, who have been playing consistently for their clubs and the national team as well. Venezuela, with coach Fernando Batista, has been improving their performance in recent games but is still the underdog.

Messi has called this a “special match” and for good reason. Aware that there may not be another opportunity to play a friendly at home after the qualifiers, he has invited his entire family to the stadium. “This will be a special game for me. I don’t know if there will be another friendly here after the qualifiers, so I’ve asked my whole family to come—my wife, children, parents, and brothers; everyone will be there,” Messi said.

Venezuela had one win, two draws, and two defeats in their previous five games, including the draw against Argentina in their last outing. The team is based on a combination of seasoned players such as Salomon Rondon and upcoming young stars like Telasco Segovia, who has impressed in Major League Soccer with goals and assists and has become a main creative force for La Vinotinto.

As Venezuela's defence, featuring the likes of Jhon Chancellor and Miguel Navarro, tries to hold off Argentina's threat on the attack, Argentina's defence features experienced players such as Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi. Venezuela seeks to shatter their record, while Argentina is seeking to continue their fine qualifying form. Both teams are hungry to pick up important points in the early rounds of the qualifying campaign.

Let's have a look at the team news for both the sides.

Argentina National Football Team News

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, the new Inter Miami pair, Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool, and Cristian Romero, the recently selected captain of Tottenham Hotspur, were among the players in Lionel Scaloni's formidable squad. Notably, Franco Mastantuono, who received a major move to Real Madrid following the FIFA Club World Cup, and Nico Paz, who had a breakout season at Como, will be the focus of attention.

Venezuela National Football Team News

With a balance of youth and global experience, Venezuela, under coach Fernando Batista, will head to Buenos Aires to face Argentina in the World Cup qualifying match. The squad is topped by veterans Salomon Rondon, Tomas Rincon, and Josef Martinez, assisted by Soteldo and Baroja. The Venezuelan Football Federation published the official list, which marked Venezuela's desire to face the defending champions in a key tie at Estadio Mas Monumental.

Argentina vs Venezuela Predicted Lineups

Argentina National Football Team Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez

Venezuela National Football Team Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Rafael Romo

Defenders: Alexander Gonzalez, Jhon Chancellor, Wilker Angel, Miguel Navarro

Midfielders: Tomas Rincon, Cristian Casseres, Telasco Segovia, Jefferson Savarino, Eduard Bello

Forwards: Salomon Rondon

Argentina vs Venezuela Head-to-Head Record

In men's international competitions, Argentina and Venezuela have faced off 27 times, with Argentina having a strong record in these meetings. Of these encounters, Argentina has won 24, while Venezuela has only won twice, with the other two games being draws.

Key Player to Watch Out in Argentina vs Venezuela

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi has regularly performed well against La Vinotinto throughout the years, tallying five goals and dishing out six assists in 12 games, with Argentina winning eight of them. Messi's performance with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer during 2025 has been very consistent. With 16 goals and several assists in the MLS season, he has won Player of the Month and Player of the Match many times and is on track to win MVP for the second straight season. Messi's recent performances for Argentina, which have broken records for appearances and goals in Copa America and CONMEBOL qualifications, have also maintained him at the centre of the team's goals.

Telasco Segovia (Venezuela)

Since arriving at Inter Miami in January 2025, Segovia, 22, has established himself as a goal-scoring sensation and earned consistent starting minutes for Major League Soccer. Some of his recent highlights include several stellar performances, such as his MLS debut equalising goal with Lionel Messi's assistance and his seven goals and three assists this season. Segovia has 12 caps and a single goal for Venezuela internationally. He netted against Brazil in November 2024 during World Cup qualification, which proved to be a vital match for his nation. Although he has yet to score against Argentina, his improvement means that he is soon going to be one of the key players for Venezuela.

Argentina vs Venezuela Prediction

With home support and an offensive line playing solidly, Argentina is the favourite to emerge victorious Thursday night in World Cup qualifying against Venezuela in Buenos Aires. Argentina is expected to win 2-1 because the defending champions have controlled their past meetings and Lionel Messi will likely play a huge role. Nonetheless, La Vinotinto could make this a tough game before Argentina's brilliance prevails due to Venezuela's tenacious defence and counterattacking threat, especially in the form of Soteldo.

Predicted Score: Argentina 2-1 Venezuela

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