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

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