The World Cup qualifiers in South America are already in the books, so it’s time for test matches. World champions Argentina practiced without Lionel Messi in his adopted home of Miami.
Lionel Messi sat in the stands as world champions Argentina secured a hard-fought victory in a friendly against Venezuela on their way to the 2026 World Cup. Without their star player, the defending champions struggled to a 1-0 (1-0) win in Miami, Florida. The only goal in front of just 15,000 spectators at Hard Rock Stadium, the venue for next year’s mammoth World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, was scored by Giovani Lo Celso from a pass by World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez (31′).
On Tuesday, Argentina, which finished the World Cup qualifiers in South America as the clear leader, will face Puerto Rico in another test match in Fort Lauderdale. The game was moved from Chicago to Florida at short notice. According to the organizers, the reason was unrest in the city, which is one of the scenes of the escalating dispute over the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on immigrants and President Donald Trump’s planned deployment of the National Guard.
Balogun saves USA draw – Irankunda scores against Canada
World Cup hosts USA drew 1-1 (0-1) in a test match against Ecuador in Austin, Texas. Folarin Balogun of AS Monaco scored the equalizer (71′) for the team coached by Argentine Mauricio Pochettino. Enner Valencia had given the South Americans, who qualified for the World Cup in second place behind Argentina, the lead (24′).
Chile narrowly defeated Peru, led by Bayern Munich pro Felipe Chavez, 2-1. Australia held World Cup hosts Canada to a 1-0 defeat. The only goal of the game was scored by former Bayern player Nestory Irankunda (FC Watford).
Record world champions Brazil had already put South Korea in their place with a 5-0 win on Friday.
