Miami, October 11 (HS): World champions Argentina cruised to a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in an international friendly on Friday, despite the absence of talisman Lionel Messi.The decisive moment came in the 31st minute when Giovani Lo Celso finished off a masterfully constructed move.

Linking up with Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, Lo Celso unleashed a precise left-footed strike past Venezuelan goalkeeper José Contreras.The match, staged at Hard Rock Stadium, drew just 15,000 spectators in the 65,000-capacity venue.

Messi, currently sidelined, was spotted watching attentively from the stands alongside fans of his Inter Miami club.Throughout the contest, Argentina’s attack was spearheaded by the relentless runs of Álvarez and Martínez, while fullback Nahuel Molina impressed with his defensive solidity and overlapping plays.

This fixture marked the first of two training matches for Argentina during the international break in Florida. The team’s next clash will be against Puerto Rico on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale — a game originally scheduled for Soldier Field in Chicago but relocated amid U.S. government actions concerning migrants.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar