Venezuelavs.Argentina

Lionel Scaloni's men have won six of their eight qualifiers so far, and sit two points clear of Colombia at the top, with progress to the finals in 2026 looks highly likely.

Venezuela will be dreaming of joining Argentina at the finals, as they remain the only South American nation to not reach the World Cup, but they are in a strong position to do so as we reach the midway point.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 28

Venezuela wins: 2

Draws: 2

Argentina wins: 24

As often the whipping boys of CONMEBOL, Venezuela have very rarely tasted success against Argentina, and the earliest meetings between the two all went in one direction.

Between the first meeting in 1956 up until 2011, Argentina won all 19 of their encounters with Venezuela, conceding just 10 goals, and scoring a staggering 77, averaging just over four goals-per-game.

However, times changed in the eight years following that dismal run for Venezuela, as they lost just two of the following six meetings.

The turning point came in a 2011 World Cup qualifier, when Fernando Amorebieta scored the only goal to hand Venezuela their first, and to date, only, competitive win over Argentina.

A 2019 friendly in Madrid also ended in a Venezuela victory, as the likes of Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez were stunned in a 3-1 defeat.

The 2018 World Cup proved difficult for Argentina to qualify for, as they limped over the line late in the section, partly thanks to dropping four points against Venezuela across the lengthy qualifying campaign.

Venezuela finished last on that occasion, but Argentina needed a late Nicolas Otamendi equaliser to salvage a point on the road after going 2-0 down, and they also briefly trailed at home, before drawing 1-1.

On the big occasion though, Argentina have come out on top, as they met in the quarter-finals of the Copa America in 2016 and 2019, with the Albiceleste reigning supreme in both.

A 4-1 win in 2016 saw Messi steal the show with a goal and two assists - a goal which at the time brought him level with Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's highest goalscorer.

Three years later, just months after losing that friendly in Madrid, Argentine ensured there were no repeats, with Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso scoring in a 2-0 win.

Ahead of their upcoming qualifier, Argentina will look back to the previous qualifying section for additional belief, as they completed the double over Venezuela on their way to a comfortable qualification for the final in Qatar, which ultimately ended in glory for the Albiceleste.

Last 20 meetings

Mar 25, 2022: Argentina 3-0 Venezuela (World Cup Qualifying)

Sep 03, 2021: Venezuela 1-3 Argentina (World Cup Qualifying)

Jun 28, 2019: Venezuela 0-2 Argentina (Copa America Quarter-Finals)

Mar 22, 2019: Argentina 1-3 Venezuela (Friendly)

Sep 05, 2017: Argentina 1-1 Venezuela (World Cup Qualifying)

Sep 06, 2016: Venezuela 2-2 Argentina (World Cup Qualifying)

Jun 18, 2016: Argentina 4-1 Venezuela (Copa America Quarter-Finals)

Mar 23, 2013: Argentina 3-0 Venezuela (World Cup Qualifying)

Oct 11, 2011: Venezuela 1-0 Argentina (World Cup Qualifying)

Sep 02, 2011: Venezuela 0-1 Argentina (Friendly)

Mar 16, 2011: Argentina 4-1 Venezuela (Friendly)

Mar 28, 2009: Argentina 4-0 Venezuela (World Cup Qualifying)

Oct 16, 2007: Venezuela 0-2 Argentina (World Cup Qualifying)

Nov 17, 2004: Argentina 3-2 Venezuela (World Cup Qualifying)

Sep 09, 2003: Venezuela 0-3 Argentina (World Cup Qualifying)

Mar 28, 2001: Argentina 5-0 Venezuela (World Cup Qualifying)

Apr 26, 2000: Venezuela 0-4 Argentina (World Cup Qualifying)

Feb 04, 1999: Venezuela 0-2 Argentina (Friendly)

Jul 20, 1997: Argentina 2-0 Venezuela (World Cup Qualifying)

Oct 09, 1996: Venezuela 2-5 Argentina (World Cup Qualifying)

Last 10 World Cup Qualifying - South America meetings

Mar 25, 2022: Argentina 3-0 Venezuela

Sep 03, 2021: Venezuela 1-3 Argentina

Sep 05, 2017: Argentina 1-1 Venezuela

Sep 06, 2016: Venezuela 2-2 Argentina

Mar 23, 2013: Argentina 3-0 Venezuela

Oct 11, 2011: Venezuela 1-0 Argentina

Mar 28, 2009: Argentina 4-0 Venezuela

Oct 16, 2007: Venezuela 0-2 Argentina

Nov 17, 2004: Argentina 3-2 Venezuela

Sep 09, 2003: Venezuela 0-3 Argentina

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