The Albiceleste enjoyed a positive start in the first half. Nico Paz, handed a place in the starting XI by manager Lionel Scaloni after a fine few months for Como, pulled the strings, and was unfortunate not to score, pinging a shot off the post. They continued to push, and were eventually good value for the opener. A loose ball fell to the feet of Lautaro Martinez, who fed Lo Celso. His shot was poor, but it deflected off the goalkeeper and into goal in the 31st minute to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
Scaloni's men had further chances in the second half, with Julian Alvarez being denied on a couple of occasions. Martinez got more involved in the attack but Argentina looked slightly off it in key areas and lacked that killer final ball as Venezuela sat in. La Vinotinto had their moments, though, and cracked a shot off the bar as Scaloni's side struggled to build on their lead. Martinez thought he had sealed it late on but was denied by a remarkable double save as Argentina held on and secured the friendly win by a narrow margin.
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