Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in the South America's World Cup qualifiers.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina drew Venezuela 1-1 in a South American World Cup qualifying match that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in the Venezuelan city of Maturin.

Lionel Messi blamed the conditions of the pitch Estadio Monumental de Maturín for Argentina's "ugly' 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday night in their first World Cup qualifier of the October international window.

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying gets back underway in what has been a topsy turvy run so far for South American teams through eight rounds of play. Lionel Messi will return for Argentina with the team still in first place during qualifying but Colombia and Uruguay are hot on their heels.

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in the South America's World Cup qualifiers. Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July,

CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying is back underway and Lionel Messi is back in the Argentina squad for the first time since the Copa America. Messi injured his ankle in the final of that match against Colombia,

Lionel Messi's Argentina are in Venezuela for Matchday 9 of the World Cup Qualifiers at the Estadio Monumental in Maturin. The match started late after being delayed due to conditions of the pitch. Follow our live updates!

Lionel Messi returns for the defending FIFA champions Argentina as the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying leaders hit the road to visit Venezuela hoping to retain their slim advantage atop the standings.