Argentina 3-0 Venezuela Player Ratings: Lionel Messi 9/10 Rated as Argentina Secures Dominant 3-0 Victory

Argentina hosted Venezuela at the Estadio Mas Monumental, Capital Federal Ciudad de Buenos Aires, on September 4, 2025, in the 17th round of the WC Qualifiers CONMEBOL. The home side have already booked their place after topping the table with a 10-point lead over the nearest challengers. For what has been believed as the last home game for the Argentine legend Lionel Messi. He has once again delivered and shown why he is one of the greatest footballers in history. The little master gave his side the lead through a sublime lob finish over the opposition keeper. But credit goes to Paredes and Alvarez for connecting so well, later unselfishly assisting Messi for his 113th strike. The Red-Wine were looked lost throughout the game as they only managed to register 79 passes in the first half, which sums up how bad they were on the field.

Things didn't change much in the second half as well, as the defending world champions dominated most of the possession. A couple of half-chances for Argentina before the Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead for the home team through a simple nod to register his 33rd goal for his international team. However, credit goes to Nicolas Gonzalez for sending in a brilliant cross to catch Venezuelans sleeping in the box from the left. Thiago Almada beat a couple of defenders and slid through the defensive line of Venezuela, just like Alvarez. He also unselfishly played the ball for Lionel Messi to tap in his second goal of the night. Throughout the match, all the Argentine football players played as a team and put up a dominant display in front of the home fans. Here are the Argentina vs Venezuela player ratings.

Argentina Player Ratings vs Venezuela

Here are the Argentina player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez - 6.5: Had one of the quietest nights of his career. Venezuela didn't manage a single shot on target, so he was largely a spectator. What stood out to us was his distribution, which was neat and tidy with 95% accuracy. He was alert when needed but was never truly tested.

Defenders

Nahuel Molina - 7.0: A really solid outing from the right-back. He was composed on the ball, completing 91% of his passes, and was always an option on the overlap. We noticed his crucial last-man tackle, which showed great awareness. He did his job effectively before being subbed off late in the game.

Cristian Romero - 6.5: A bit of a mixed bag from Romero. On one hand, his passing was superb (96% accuracy) and he made some important interceptions. On the other hand, he picked up a needless yellow card and looked a bit too aggressive in his duels. He needs to channel that aggression better, but he was still a key part of a defense that gave up nothing.

Nicolás Otamendi - 7.5: A commanding, vintage performance from the veteran. He was an absolute rock at the back, winning his aerial battles and passing with an incredible 98% accuracy. He read the game perfectly, making key clearances and interceptions. He almost got on the scoresheet with a header too. Truly a leader's performance.

Nicolás Tagliafico - 7.0: Dependable as ever on the left flank. He was defensively sound, contributing with a tackle and an interception, and supported the attack well. He even forced a save with a decent shot in the first half. You always know what you're going to get with Tagliafico: a solid, no-fuss 7/10 performance.

Midfielders

Leandro Paredes - 7.5: Absolutely ran the show from the base of midfield before his substitution. From our perspective, his control of the tempo was masterful. Completing 98 out of 103 passes tells you everything you need to know about his influence. Add to that 10 ball recoveries, and you have a complete deep-lying playmaker's performance.

Rodrigo De Paul - 7.5: Argentina's engine, as always. He was everywhere, covering every blade of grass and dictating play with a staggering 121 passes. He constantly drove the team forward, making 16 passes into the final third. His energy and work rate were off the charts.

Thiago Almada - 8.0: What a performance. This kid was a livewire, buzzing with creativity and intent. He created four chances, bagged an assist for Messi's second, and was desperately unlucky not to score himself. His movement between the lines was a nightmare for Venezuela.

Franco Mastantuono - 6.5: A decent showing for the youngster in his 63 minutes. He showed some bright sparks and wasn't afraid to take players on. However, he also lost possession a few times and his final product wasn't quite there. It was a valuable learning experience against a packed defense.

Forwards

Lionel Messi - 9.0: What more can be said? This was a masterclass. He was the architect of everything good for Argentina, scoring two typically brilliant goals. He took 7 shots, created 4 chances, and was a constant menace. Venezuela simply had no answer. Our highest-rated player and the clear Man of the Match.

Julián Alvarez - 7.5: He didn't get his goal, but his contribution was immense. His relentless pressing and intelligent movement created space for others. He was rewarded with an assist for Lautaro's goal, a testament to his hard work and link-up play. An unselfish and crucial performance.

Substitutes

Lautaro Martínez - 7.5: The perfect impact sub. He came on in the 74th minute and scored with a classic poacher's header in the 76th. That's exactly what you want from your striker. He was sharp, hungry, and clinical.

Nico González - 6.5: Looked lively after coming on, forcing a good save from the keeper. Added fresh energy on the wing.

Exequiel Palacios - 6.0: Slotted into midfield seamlessly and helped maintain Argentina's control to see out the game.

Giuliano Simeone - N/A: Came on late with the game already won.

Nico Paz - N/A: Not enough time to make a significant impact.

Manager

Lionel Scaloni - 8.0: Got his tactics spot on. His team was set up to dominate, and they executed his plan to perfection. His substitutions were timed well and had an immediate impact, particularly the introduction of Lautaro. A flawless day at the office for the Argentina boss.

Venezuela Player Ratings vs Argentina

Here are the Venezuela player ratings.

Goalkeeper

R. Romo - 7.0: It might seem strange to rate a keeper who conceded three goals this highly, but he was easily Venezuela's best player. He made 4 crucial saves, five from inside the box, and prevented an absolute annihilation. Without his heroics, this could have been a much uglier scoreline.

Defenders

Jon Aramburu - 5.0: A torrid evening for the right-back. He was constantly targeted and struggled to cope with the fluid Argentine attack. He was dribbled past twice and picked up a yellow card for a frustrated challenge.

Nahuel Ferraresi - 4.5: Looked out of his depth. An error leading to a shot is a damning statistic for a defender. He was part of a backline that was pulled apart at will and offered very little resistance.

Wilker Ángel - 5.0: He made a few clearances but was largely overwhelmed. He and his defensive partners just couldn't handle the movement of Messi and Alvarez. Committed a foul and lost his only duel. It was a long night for him.

Christian Makoun - 4.5: Like the rest of the defense, he had a nightmare. He was dribbled past twice and looked sluggish against Argentina's quick passing and movement. Made a few clearances but was generally chasing shadows for 90 minutes.

Miguel Navarro - 5.0: His performance was summed up by the fact he was hooked after just 56 minutes. He lost possession an astonishing 10 times in that period and offered nothing going forward or defensively.

Midfielders

Tomás Rincón - 6.0: The captain fought bravely in a losing battle. He won most of his duels and made three tackles in the first half. From our perspective, he was trying to stem the tide, but it was an impossible task. Substituted at halftime as the coach looked for a different approach.

Cristian Cásseres Jr. - 5.5: He ran a lot but had very little impact on the game. He couldn't get close to Argentina's midfielders, picked up a yellow card, and committed three fouls.

Eduard Bello - 5.5: Largely anonymous. He worked hard defensively, making two tackles, but was a non-entity in an attacking sense. He struggled to get on the ball and influence the game in any meaningful way.

Forwards

Jefferson Savarino - 4.0: A disastrous performance. An error leading to a goal is the worst thing a player can do, and his mistake was costly. Beyond that, he offered nothing, losing the ball frequently and failing to create anything. Deservedly our lowest-rated player.

Salomón Rondón - 5.0: Completely isolated and starved of service. He had just 14 touches in 56 minutes. He lost most of his aerial battles and was a peripheral figure throughout. You have to feel for a striker in a team that offered so little attacking threat.

Substitutes

Yeferson Soteldo - 6.0: At least tried to make things happen when he came on. Looked more direct than the starters but ultimately couldn't change the game.

Josef Martínez - 5.5: Ran around but, like Rondón, had no service to work with.

Jorge Yriarte - 5.5: Came into a midfield that was being completely overrun and couldn't make a difference.

Leonardo Flores - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Jhon Murillo - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

Fernando Batista - 4.5: His team came to defend but failed spectacularly. They were passive, disorganized, and showed no ambition. His substitutions made no difference, and the team looked completely outclassed from a tactical standpoint.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Lionel Messi