An 89th-minute goal by substitute Luiz Henrique gave Brazil a 2-1 away win over Chile on Thursday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match. The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Júnior's team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying.

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Thursday.

Salomon Rondon scored a second-half equalizer as Venezuela managed to secure a 1-1 draw at home against Argentina in their World Cup qualifier. Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for the reigning world champions by firing home from the edge of the six-yard box after Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo punched away Lionel Messi's free-kick.

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.

Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina all face tricky away trips in the next round of South American World Cup 2026 qualifying this week.

Argentina, who had eight shots to Venezuela's 16, went ahead in the first half through Nicolas Otamendi before Salomon Rondon equalised in the 65th minute. And Lionel Messi did not hold back in expres

Venezuela are undoubtedly a stronger outfit than they have been in previous qualifying campaigns, and there is a genuine chance that they can make it to the 2026 World Cup, but there still remains a gulf in class between these two nations and one which is likely to be evident in this fixture.

It was a tough day at the office for Lionel Messi and his Argentina squad as they failed to capitalize on Otamendi's goal to grab the win against Venezuela. Messi provided a cross to Otamendi in the 13th minute of the match which was successfully converted into a goal.