The Argentina national team, playing without Lionel Messi, beat Venezuela 1-0 on Friday in a friendly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Messi was at the stadium watching the match from the stands with his family.

“I decided that Leo [Messi] would not play,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

“We wanted to try Lautaro [Martinez] and Julian [Alvarez] and had Jose Manuel Lopez on the bench. I thought it was a valid option. In the end, Flaco [Jose Manuel Lopez] couldn’t enter the game, so he’ll enter the next one. But it was my decision, simply that.”

Despite his absence, La Albiceleste triumphed against Venezuela with a lone goal by Giovani Lo Celso after connecting with teammate Lautaro Martínez to find the back of the net. Argentina managed to dominate in the final third to record 19 shots, 11 on target, against the South American rival.

When asked if Messi would be available to feature in the team’s upcoming friendly against Puerto Rico on October 14, Scaloni remained hopeful.

“Let’s hope Messi can be there on Tuesday, we’ll see how things unfold in the coming days.”

Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul began the game on the bench for Argentina, substituting in the second half for Atlético Madrid star Julián Álvarez.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, however, welcomed the opportunity to see Messi play with the club when facing Atlanta United at Chase Stadium on Saturday night in a regular-season Major League Soccer match, just one day after Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela, before insisting he had not spoken to the player about his involvement.

“I’d love it. Imagine being able to have Leo Messi, but the reality is he hasn’t been with us, and I’ll repeat this because we’re talking about Leo,” said Mascherano. “But there’s Rodrigo [De Paul], there’s Telasco, yes…Messi can play at any time, obviously. The issue afterward is that I can’t talk to you about something that’s counterfactual because he’s not with us, and the truth is, I haven’t spoken to Leo. I haven’t spoken to Leo. Now we’ll see tonight what happens.”

Though Inter Miami already qualified for the 2025 MLS playoffs, the team continues to aim for a higher place on the Eastern Conference table to ensure home-field advantage in the post-season.

Argentina added that Franco Mastantuono would miss the remainder of the camp due to a left thigh injury.

LAHORE: Pakistan will kick off their campaign in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 with the first fixture of a two-match series against defending champions South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, with 38-year-old Asif Afridi expected to make his debut, sources said.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood and his South African counterpart Aiden Markram unveiled the glittering trophy for the red-ball series at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Led by Shan Masood, Pakistan are likely to go in with a combination of seven batters, two fast bowlers, and two spinners. Due to a viral fever, right-arm spinner Sajid Khan has been ruled out and will be replaced by Asif, who will make his Test debut.

The 38-year-old left-arm spinner has taken 198 wickets in 57 first-class matches at an average of 25.49. He will be partnered by the experienced Nauman Ali, aged 39, who has 83 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 24.75.

In the fast-bowling department, Shaheen Shah Afridi is likely to make his return to the Test side after a year. The left-arm pacer has 116 wickets in 31 Tests and will share the new ball with Hasan Ali, who has 80 wickets in 24 Tests and last played a Test in January 2024 against Australia in Sydney.

Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq, who last represented Pakistan in the longest format of the game in December 2023, is also expected to make a return to the playing XI.

South Africa are touring Pakistan for series in all formats of the game. The first Test is scheduled from October 12 to 16 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, while the second Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.

Pakistan’s likely playing XI for first Test

Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, and Asif Afridi.

Bruno Fernandes has conceded that he needs to work on his penalties after struggling from the spot this season, but the Manchester United captain insists he loves the pressure that comes with playing for the club.

The usually reliable Portugal midfielder has missed crucial penalties in United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham and the 3-1 defeat to Brentford that have contributed to the team’s difficult start to their Premier League campaign.

“This season, out of three [penalties], I ended up missing two,” Fernandes told a news conference on Friday. “I don’t want to miss any of them. It’s something I need to study better. I’ll always do it with full conviction because there’s a coach who trusts me.”

Fernandes was foiled by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher during United’s defeat in west London on Sept. 27.

When asked about the prospect of lining up against Kelleher when Portugal take on the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, Fernandes said: “Every day is a good day to settle scores.

“He was stronger. He did very well, and I didn’t. But it’s not something that affects my head. In a football team, there’s something bigger than individuality. Winning is much more important than settling scores with the Irish goalkeeper.”

United beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford last weekend to climb to 10th in the table and ease the pressure on coach Ruben Amorim.

United finished 15th in the Premier League last season — their worst position since being relegated in 1974 — while also losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

Fernandes, 31, said he does not consider joining Portugal on international duty as an escape from noise that comes with playing for United.

“They’re different things,” he said. “Here, it’s being at home, it’s speaking Portuguese, it’s eating Portuguese food. It makes me feel good. But I feel good in Manchester, I love the pressure. It means the goal is bigger, and I’m a person who enjoys challenges.

“I love representing the national team, it’s a source of pride. The pressure is the same whether I play for Portugal or for my club. The goal is the same: to win.”

Fernandes, who is in his sixth full season at United, turned down a move to Al Hilal in the summer to remain at Old Trafford.

– How to fix Man United in 4 steps by copying Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City
– Man United set for Mainoo, Zirkzee talks as clubs circle – sources
– Premier League table

Amorim’s decision to deploy Fernandes in a deeper position in midfield instead of his familiar No. 10 has been the subject of much debate, but Fernandes said he sees benefits to playing in both positions.

“I like playing football, regardless of the position, I’ll do my best,” he said. “Everyone has favorite positions. In a space with a lot of quality, you have to adapt. I played these positions with [coach] Jorge Jesus at Sporting. When you see from the front, you can find more space, the risk is lower.

“When I play as a No. 10, the goal is to create plays, to finish. I adapt to the team game. The most important thing is to win, I want to play my best.”

Portugal have won their opening two World Cup qualifiers and lead Group F.