The world champions Argentina vs Venezuela to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Friday night for a highly anticipated international friendly that kicks off at 1:00 AM UK time (8:00 PM ET).
Coming off their successful World Cup qualification campaign, where they finished nine points clear at the top of the CONMEBOL table, Lionel Scaloni’s men face a Venezuelan side seeking redemption after failing to secure their first-ever World Cup berth.
This friendly marks a rematch of September’s World Cup qualifier, where Argentina cruised to a commanding 3-0 victory with Lionel Messi scoring twice in what could have been his final appearance on Argentine soil.
Argentina vs Venezuela, both national teams are using this window for experimentation ahead of future competitions, expect tactical changes and opportunities for fringe players to impress.
Argentina vs Venezuela Match Information, Prediction, H2H and Where to watch
Table of Contents
Match Info
Argentina hosts Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, October 10, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT / 1:00 AM BST (October 11).
This international friendly takes place at the home venue of Lionel Messi’s club Inter Miami, adding extra significance to the encounter as the Argentine captain may choose to prioritize his MLS commitments with a crucial match against Atlanta United just 24 hours later
Argentina’s World Cup Triumph:
La Albiceleste completed their World Cup qualifying campaign as runaway winners, accumulating 38 points from 18 matches to finish nine points ahead of second-placed Colombia.
Despite ending their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Ecuador, Scaloni’s side had long since secured automatic qualification and will be among the favorites to defend their crown at the 2026 tournament in North America.
Their qualifying success included dominant victories over traditional rivals, averaging over two goals per game throughout the campaign.
Venezuela’s Missed Opportunity:
Under interim coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Venezuela endured a disappointing end to their World Cup dreams, finishing eighth in the CONMEBOL standings with just 18 points.
Their qualifying campaign concluded with a devastating 6-3 defeat to Colombia, which extinguished hopes of reaching their first-ever World Cup.
The appointment of Vizcarrondo followed the dismissal of Fernando Batista, with the new coach implementing significant squad changes including the exclusion of veterans Tomás Rincón and Salomón Rondón.
Argentina’s Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecuador (A) | 0-1 | L | WC Qualifier | Sep 10, 2025 |
| Venezuela (H) | 3-0 | W | WC Qualifier | Sep 5, 2025 |
| Colombia (A) | 1-1 | D | WC Qualifier | Jun 11, 2025 |
| Chile (A) | 0-1 | W | WC Qualifier | Jun 6, 2025 |
| Brazil (H) | 4-1 | W | WC Qualifier | Mar 26, 2025 |
Venezuela Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia (H) | 6-3 | L | WC Qualifier | Sep 10, 2025 |
| Argentina (A) | 0-3 | L | WC Qualifier | Sep 5, 2025 |
| Uruguay (A) | 0-2 | L | WC Qualifier | Jun 11, 2025 |
| Bolivia (H) | 2-0 | W | WC Qualifier | Jun 6, 2025 |
| Peru (A) | 1-0 | W | WC Qualifier | Mar 26, 2025 |
Argentina vs Venezuela Head to Head
The historical rivalry between Argentina and Venezuela reveals one of the most lopsided matchups in international football, with Argentina maintaining overwhelming dominance throughout their 28 meetings.
However, Venezuela’s recent improvements have made this fixture more competitive, particularly in friendly encounters where they’ve managed to spring surprises
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Played | Argentina Wins | Draws | Venezuela Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 28 | 25 | 2 | 2 |
| Goals For | 84 | 15 | ||
| Goals Against | 15 | 84 |
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Meetings)
| Played | Argentina Wins | Draws | Venezuela Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last 10 Meetings | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Goals For | 25 | 9 | ||
| Goals Against | 9 | 25 |
Argentina’s dominance historically reached extraordinary levels, winning all 19 encounters between 1956 and 2011 while scoring 77 goals and conceding just 10.
Venezuela’s breakthrough came with a memorable 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory in 2011, courtesy of Fernando Amorebieta’s strike.
More recently, Venezuela shocked Argentina with a 3-1 friendly victory in Madrid in March 2019, though Argentina responded with convincing wins in subsequent Copa América encounters.
Argentina vs Venezuela Current Team News
Argentina Team News:
Lionel Scaloni faces a significant selection dilemma regarding Lionel Messi, whose participation remains uncertain due to Inter Miami’s crucial MLS playoff positioning battle.
The 38-year-old captain has been in phenomenal form for his club with 24 goals and 17 assists in 26 matches this season, making him a strong MVP candidate. However, Scaloni has emphasized that “no risks will be taken” with Messi’s fitness, suggesting he may be rested or feature for limited minutes.
Key players Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, and Lautaro Martínez are all expected to feature, providing the spine of the World Cup-winning team. Notable absences include Thiago Almada (muscle injury), Lisandro Martínez (knee injury), Exequiel Palacios, and Ángel Correa who were not included in the squad. Young talents Franco Mastantuono faces late fitness concerns with hamstring discomfort.
The squad includes three uncapped players: Lautaro Rivero (River Plate defender), Facundo Cambeses (Racing goalkeeper), and Aníbal Moreno (Palmeiras midfielder), reflecting Scaloni’s commitment to squad development.
Venezuela Team News:
Interim coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo has implemented sweeping changes, excluding experienced captain Tomás Rincón and all-time leading scorer Salomón Rondón, removing 251 caps worth of experience.
This represents a significant shift toward youth development and future planning rather than immediate results.
Telasco Segovia, Messi’s Inter Miami teammate, has been included and should feature prominently in midfield. The squad contains eight MLS representatives, including Daniel Pereira (Austin FC), Kevin Kelsy (Portland Timbers), and Ender Echenique (FC Cincinnati).
Other notable selections include Jesús Ramírez, Alejandro Marqués, Giovanni Sivar, and Kevin Kelsy – all four strikers chosen have yet to score an international goal, highlighting Venezuela’s experimental approach.
Argentina vs Venezuela Possible Starting Lineups
Argentina Predicted XI (4-3-3):
E. Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, E. Fernández; González, L., Álvarez
Venezuela Predicted XI (5-4-1):
Graterol; Aramburu, Ferraresi, Vivas, Balbo, Rivas; Echenique, Cásseres Jr., Andrade, Segovia; Kelsy
Key Players
Argentina Key Players:
- Lionel Messi: The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains Argentina’s most influential player, though his participation is uncertain due to club commitments.
- Lautaro Martínez: Inter Milan striker provides consistent goal threat and formed lethal partnerships throughout qualifying.
- Emiliano Martínez: Aston Villa goalkeeper offers world-class shot-stopping and leadership from the back.
- Rodrigo De Paul: Atlético Madrid midfielder brings energy, pressing, and crucial assists to Argentina’s midfield.
Venezuela Key Players:
- Telasco Segovia: Inter Miami midfielder offers familiarity with Argentine players and provides creativity in the final third
- Kevin Kelsy: Portland Timbers striker leads Venezuela’s attack despite limited international experience
- Ender Echenique: FC Cincinnati midfielder brings MLS experience and set-piece expertise
- Rafael Graterol: Experienced goalkeeper provides stability and shot-stopping ability for Venezuela
Argentina vs Venezuela Match Prediction
This friendly presents contrasting objectives for both teams, with Argentina focusing on squad rotation and experimentation while Venezuela seeks to build confidence after their World Cup disappointment.
Argentina’s superior individual quality and tactical cohesion should prevail, particularly if Messi features even briefly.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Final Table:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 18 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 32 | 14 | +18 | 38 |
| 2 | Colombia | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 25 | 12 | +13 | 35 |
| 3 | Uruguay | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 22 | 14 | +8 | 31 |
| 4 | Ecuador | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 12 | +7 | 29 |
| 5 | Brazil | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 22 | 16 | +6 | 28 |
| 6 | Paraguay | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 28 |
| 7 | Bolivia | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 19 | 29 | -10 | 18 |
| 8 | Venezuela | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 18 |
Venezuela’s recent three-match losing streak and experimental squad suggest they may struggle against Argentina’s established quality, even with rotations.
Argentina’s record of 12 consecutive friendly victories since November 2019 demonstrates their ability to maintain standards in non-competitive fixtures.
However, Venezuela’s surprise 3-1 victory in their last friendly meeting provides hope for another upset.
Predicted Score:
Argentina 3-0 Venezuela
Argentina vs Venezuela International Friendly Stream link, TV channel
United States:
- TV: beIN SPORTS USA, beIN SPORTS en Español, NBC Universo
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial available), Fanatiz, DirecTV Stream
- Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Canada:
- Streaming: Available through various international streaming platforms
- Time: 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST
United Kingdom:
- TV: Not available on major UK networks
- Streaming: Limited streaming options available
- Time: 1:00 AM BST (Saturday morning)
Australia:
- Time: 11:00 AM AEDT (Saturday morning)
- Coverage: Check local Fox Sports or SBS coverage
International Viewing: Fanatiz provides comprehensive global coverage with English, Spanish, or natural sound commentary options for South American football matches. The platform offers Front Row plans covering Argentina national team matches, Copa Libertadores, and other regional competitions.
For viewers traveling outside their home countries, VPN services may be required to access geo-restricted content. The match will feature extensive pre-match analysis, live commentary, and post-match highlights across all broadcasting platforms.
This friendly represents a crucial preparation step for Argentina as they begin building toward World Cup defense, while Venezuela seeks to restore confidence and establish a new identity under their interim management structure.
