*Unique* Lionel Messi Match Worn Argentina National Team World Cup Qualifier Captain's Armband - 1 Goals and 2 Assists Against Venezuela, March 23, 2013!

*Provenance: Collection of former Adidas Vice-President*

Match Facts:

Argentina consolidated its lead today by beating Venezuela 3-0 and dropping it from fourth place, the last place that grants direct qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in the South American qualifiers, with two goals from Gonzalo Higuaín and one from Lionel Messi.

The Argentine national team showed its individual and collective potential and maintained its style of play and its vertical attack despite the absence of striker Sergio 'Kun' Agüero, injured, and creative Angel Di María, suspended, replaced by Walter Montillo and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Higuaín (28th and 59th minutes) and Messi (45th minute), from the penalty spot, made the difference between the two teams in a match that lacked equivalences due to the contrast between the brilliance of the local figures and the shadow that surrounded the Venezuelan performance.

Strong pressure from Venezuela in the central area of the field kept the home team away from their area, a situation that lasted for ten minutes until Messi reached that area and launched a left-footed shot that goalkeeper Daniel González stopped without holding onto the ball.

From that moment on, the Argentines stepped on the gas and González was once again active and effective, as Argentina found themselves in the opponent's half. Their attack was made vertical by Gago and Messi, with Higuaín in a threatening position and with the full-backs Zabaleta and Rojo opening up the field.

Venezuelan centre-backs Vizcarrondo and Túñez were unable to get there in time to neutralise the Albiceleste attacks in actions that found no opposition in the centre of the field and so Lavezzi and Higuaín squandered, in the same play, another chance to open the scoring in the 27th minute.


The goal was a foregone conclusion and in the 28th minute Messi crossed a pass on the left that left Higuaín alone in front of the Venezuelan goalkeeper and he scored, with a right-footed shot next to the post, the first goal of a match that the Argentines were already dominating at will.

Mascherano, who was the mainstay of all the football circuits in Venezuela, was the mainstay that Alejandro Sabella's team relied on, although Sabella is reluctant to play him in the central position, as he plays for Barça, and tactically places him next to Gago and close to Montillo, Ángel Di María's replacement on this occasion.

Venezuela barely set foot on Argentina's half when the home side lost possession, which was the least common occurrence, and they did not find any opportunities to put their virtues into practice to take advantage of set pieces because the home side avoided committing fouls near their goal.

A Messi play with fine dribbles between the legs of the Venezuelan defenders culminated when Cichero stopped the ball with one arm. It was in the 45th minute, and 'La Pulga' transformed the penalty into a goal with a powerful shot over Hernández.

The Venezuelan was a shadow of the team that played the Copa América in Argentina almost two years ago, also managed by César Farías, and made people talk about his performance and the results achieved. This time he faded away after ten minutes because he had no presence in the midfield and, consequently, did not appear in the rival area.
In the second half, Farías' team tried to correct its poor performance from the first half, showing a little more dynamic, but it was barely enough to add interest to the match.

A luxurious assist from Messi set up Higuaín to score the third goal with a low touch over the exit of goalkeeper Hernández.

Rómulo Otero had two chances, the best for Venezuela, to score, both after plays led by Rondón, who left the field upset when Farías decided to replace him with Nicolás Fedor.

Armband Details: The arm band is entirely black with a white "C" on one side and an Adidas manufacturer's logo on the other side. The arm band is made out of spandex material and it comes with an LOA