Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw with Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi’s return to international affairs in the South American World Cup qualifiers.

Captain Messi, 37, fully recovered from an injury sustained in the Copa America final against Colombia in July, was brilliant in setting up Otamendi on a sodden pitch to open the scoring 13 minutes after kick-off, which was delayed by half an hour due to heavy rain.

Fierce Venezuela equalized in the second half when Salomon Rondon’s header from Yeferson Soteldo beat goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who came on for Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez, who is serving a two-match ban for attacking conduct.

Argentina remains top of the standings with 19 points and will face Bolivia on Tuesday, while Venezuela, who rose to sixth place with 11 points, visits Paraguay.