Lionel Messi treated home fans to a night to remember in what he described as his final World Cup qualifier on Argentinian soil. The 38-year-old maestro stamped his legacy with a brace to lead Argentina to a commanding 3–0 victory over Venezuela, capping off an emotional chapter in qualifying. Meanwhile, Paraguay and Colombia seized their own moments, clinching berths at the 2026 World Cup.
Messi opened the scoring just before halftime, firing a beautiful finish into the top-right corner from a Julian Álvarez pass during a swift counterattack. Despite already being qualified for the tournament, Argentina—reigning world champions—controlled the match from the outset, generating numerous scoring chances before breaking through.
After the break, Luis González swung in a cross that Lautaro Martínez met with a diving header, doubling the lead on 76 minutes. Just four minutes later, Messi struck again, calmly placing home a third goal off a Thiago Almada assist, ensuring his night would shine even brighter.
Messi’s post-match remarks captured the emotional weight of the evening: “Being able to finish this way here with my people is what I always dreamed of.” Reflecting on his future, he added, “It’s not something I like, want or expect [to retire]. But time is passing, and it’s been many years.”
But it wasn’t just Argentina making headlines. Across the continent, Paraguay secured qualification with a goalless draw against Ecuador—marking their first World Cup appearance in 16 years. Their fans celebrated wildly in Asunción, fireworks lighting up the night as the team punched their ticket to North America.
Colombia also booked their spot with a confident 3–0 win over Bolivia. Goals from James Rodríguez, Jhon Córdoba, and Juan Fernando Quintero sealed the deal, giving “Los Cafeteros” a spur-of-the-moment exit from qualifying, but at least a place in the finals.
Argentina now sits comfortably atop the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 38 points. Brazil and Ecuador had already sealed their qualification earlier in the campaign, while Uruguay also remains in contention following a solid run and is poised to clinch qualification with just one more point.
This round of fixtures reshaped the group’s final picture: six automatic spots have now been claimed by Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Colombia, with the seventh place heading toward Venezuela unless they can snatch a playoff spot.
Messi’s tribute night was more than just a dominant performance. It seemed like a curtain call—playing alongside his sons during the national anthem, visibly emotional at the magnitude of the moment, and delivering on the pitch when it mattered most. Whether or not he lines up for Argentina again on home turf, the legacy he leaves in qualifiers is timeless.
Summary Table
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Messi’s finale at home | Scored two goals in a 3–0 win over Venezuela, his last World Cup qualifier on home soil. |
| Emotional impact | Messi described the night as a dream realized with the love of his people; retirement remains undecided. |
| Paraguay qualifies | Earned World Cup spot after 16-year absence via draw with Ecuador. |
| Colombia qualifies | Secured their spot with a 3–0 win over Bolivia. |
| Qualifying picture | Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Colombia are automatic qualifiers. |
