Kolkata, Sep 3: Nicolas Otamendi's goal helped Argentina to achieve a 1-0 win against Venezuela in a friendly match played at Salt lake stadium in Kolkata on Friday, Sep 2. Messi and co. made plenty of chances to score but could mange only a minimal victory, with a second half header by Porto centre-half Nicolas Otamendi.

Argentina were more active team from early minutes of the game and created their first chance in nine minute of the match, when Lionel Messi passed Angel Di Maria on the left side of the box, but Roberto Rosales defended the Real Madrid man with a well anticipated sliding tackle.

Few minutes later, Venezuela missed their close chance to score a goal when Miku crossed from the right wing for Salomon Rondon into the penalty area, but the Malaga striker failed to connect properly with the ball to convert it to a goal.

Both sides continued to press to score a goal but due to lack of incisiveness, both teams had to struggle till the end of first half.

Venezuela started the second half with a positive attitude and almost opened the scoring through Cesar Gonzalez, who narrowly missed the target with a powerful finish shortly after the restart.

The golden chance of the game came on the second half when Gonzalez was released by Rosales, but Sergio Romero dropped terrifically to his left to defend the Deportivo Tachira midfielder.

Half the ground thought la Albiceleste took the lead a minute later when Barcelona star Messi rolled a free-kick for the top-right corner, but the finish only hit the side-netting.

The goal finally came in the 67th minute of the match when Porto defender Nicolas Otamendi headed in from a corner on the left by Messi to give la Albiceleste the lead.

Alejando Sabella's men tried to double their lead in the 80th minute when Messi had a volley from the edge of the box saved by Rafael Romo.

Venezuelan team tried hard in the remaining time to tie the match, but ultimately Argentina won the match with 1-0.

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