The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner found the net twice to lead his side to a comfortable victory

Lionel Messi scored twice and Lautaro Martinez added a third as Argentina rather strolled to a 3-0 win in what might be their captain’s final home competitive fixture. 

Argentina probed and prodded for the opening 30 minutes, without creating much. Their three shots on target were rather misleading, with the Venezuela defence putting in an agreeable shift. But of course, inevitably, Messi changed things. The Albiceleste pieced together a lovely, flowing move. Leandro Paredes found Julian Alvarez, who could have finished but cut back to his captain. Messi lifted the ball over two defenders and into the net. Thiago Almada nearly doubled Argentina’s advantage shortly before half-time, only to see his curled effort tipped around the post. 

Messi almost had a second on the hour mark, but saw his effort well denied by the goalie after creating half a yard of space in the box. The home side found a second wind late on. Lautaro Martinez scored the second with 15 minutes to play, flicking home a Thiago Almada cutback. And then Messi had the final word, putting the finishing touch on another wonderfully worked team goal with a side-footed finish that wrapped up a thoroughly deserved three points. 

It remains to be seen if this is the end for Messi for good in Argentina. But, with friendlies all over the map and a World Cup to play in North America, this might be the great Argentine’s last competitive game in his home nation. If that’s the case, this was a fine way to go out. 

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