Argentina overcame the absence of their star Lionel Messi to defeat Venezuela 1-0 in an international friendly football match on Friday in Miami, USA.

Giovani Lo Celso scored the winning goal in the 31st minute after a well-organized attack, granting the world champions the victory in a match attended by about 15,000 spectators at the Hard Rock Stadium, which has a capacity of 65,000.

Messi (38 years old), Inter Miami star and eight-time best player in the world, watched the match from the stands, while Argentina faced no significant difficulty overcoming Venezuela.

Forwards Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez delivered impressive performances throughout the game, and fullback Nahuel Molina also shone.

Álvarez and Martínez were involved in creating the winning goal after a brilliant exchange of passes ended with a pass to Lo Celso, who struck a powerful left-footed shot into the Venezuelan goalkeeper José Contreras’ net.

This was the first of two friendlies Argentina is playing in Florida during the international break.

The 2022 world champions will face Puerto Rico in Fort Lauderdale next Tuesday.

Messi’s absence sparked many questions, but Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Messi’s exclusion was not due to injury or fatigue but rather a desire to try the attacking duo Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez, with young forward José Manuel (Flaco) López on the bench. This decision reflects the coaching staff’s approach to expanding attacking options.

Regarding Messi’s possible participation against Puerto Rico on Tuesday, he added: “Yes, I think so. Let’s wait and see what happens in the coming days, but I hope he will be present.”