Venezuela ruin Messi return with Wanda win over Argentina
Goals by Salomón Rondón, Jhon Murillo and Josef Martínez gave Venezuela a 3-1 friendly win over Argentina, for whom Lautaro Martínez scored a consolation.
Leo Messi’s return after a nine-month absence did not go according to plan as Argentina were deservedly beaten 3-1 by a Venezuela side that defended stoutly and were ruthlessly effective on the break in Madrid.
Salomón Rondón and Jhon Murillo both hit cracking strikes in the first half before Lautaro Martínez replied for Argentina but substitute Josef Martínez won and buried a penalty to put the game beyond a largely toothless Argentina with 15 minutes to go.
As a warm-up for the Copa América 2019, Venezuela will be much happier with their performance and not awed by being drawn against hosts Brazil after outplaying Argentina tactically. For the Albiceleste, coach Lionel Scaloni and talisman Messi, this game posed far more questions than answers.