Argentina 1 Venezuela 1: Lionel Messi could miss 2018 World Cup as draw leaves Argentina outside South America qualification places
Minnows Venezuela embarrass superstars as own goal by Rolf Feltscher earns lucky point in Buenos Aires
LIONEL Messi and Argentina struggled to a 1-1 draw with Venezuela today which left the South American giants' 2018 World Cup qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
A second-half own goal from Venezuela defender Rolf Feltscher spared Argentina's blushes after the visitors had taken the lead through Jhon Murillo.
The result left Argentina in fifth place in the South American standings with 24 points from 16 games.
The top four finishers in the table qualify for next year's final automatically, while the fifth place team faces a two-leg playoff against New Zealand.
"Venezuela started to grow when they realised we couldn't finish them off," Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said after the match.
"We let a great opportunity escape us. That's football and it can happen.
"The important thing is we all push so Argentina can be at the 2018 World Cup."
Argentina would still be favourites to progress to Russia past the New Zealanders, but will be taking nothing for granted in their final two qualifiers next month after another disjointed performance.
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Venezuela, bottom of the table and already eliminated from contention, more than held their own for long periods as Argentina struggled to click despite a star-studded line-up spearheaded by Lionel Messi, Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala.
After a lacklustre first half display, Venezuela took a deserved lead six-minutes into the second half with a sweeping counter-attack that exposed Argentina.
A flowing move ended when Sergio Cordova threaded a perfect pass through to Murillo who deftly tucked his finish past Manchester United's Sergio Romero.
However Argentina got back on level terms three minutes later when substitute Marcos Acuna sprinted down the left before crossing into the six-yard area.
Under pressure from Icardi, Feltscher turned the ball into his own net.
Brazil, who have already qualified, drew 1-1 with Colombia.
Chelsea forward Willian gave Brazil the lead before Monaco striker Radamel Falcao equalised. Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho came off the bench for Brazil late on.
Uruguay moved up to second after beating Paraguay 2-1 while Peru beat Ecuador by the same scoreline to move up to fourth.
Sixth-placed Chile lost 1-0 to Bolivia.
Chile, who are one point behind Argentina, host Ecuador before finishing their campaign with a trip to top-of-the table Brazil in next month's final qualifiers.
Argentina are level on points with Peru, who they play next, before a trip to Ecuador. Peru's final qualifier is away in Colombia.
Teams
Argentina: Romero, Mascherano, Fazio, Otamendi, Dybala (Benedetto 62), Pizarro, Banega, Messi, Acosta, Icardi (Pastore 75), Di Maria (Acuna 25).
Subs Not Used: Guzman, Pareja, Pinola, Paredes, Biglia, Rigoni, Aguero, Angel Correa, Rulli.
Booked: Banega, Acosta, Otamendi.
Goals: Feltscher 54 og.
Venezuela: Farinez, Garcia, Chancellor, Villanueva, Feltscher, Figuera, Moreno, Murillo, Herrera (Silva 76), Cordova (Velazquez 87), Rondon (Martinez 82).
Subs Not Used: Contreras, Quijada, Machis, Flores, Otero, Farias, Soteldo, Gonzalez, Olses.
Booked: Herrera, Villanueva, Chancellor, Figuera, Feltscher.
Goals: Murillo 50.
