Salomon Rondon grabbed a second-half equaliser as Venezuela held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday while 10-man Bolivia upset Colombia 1-0. 

The return of Lionel Messi to Argentina’s starting line-up looked to have put the world champions on the way to victory after the Inter Miami superstar’s free-kick set up an opening goal for Nicolas Otamendi after 13 minutes. But a battling performance by Venezuela in front of their home fans in Maturin was rewarded midway through the second half when the 35-year-old Rondon met Yeferson Soteldo’s cross with a header that flew past Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.