BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi scored twice in his last home World Cup qualifier as Argentina secured a 3-0 victory over Venezuela on Thursday.
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, who was moved to tears during the warmup, put the host ahead in the 39th minute, lifting a shot over goalkeeper Rafael Romo after Julian Alvarez's cross on the counterattack.
Substitute Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead with a diving header following Nico Gonzalez's cut-back from the left byline.
Messi made it 3-0 by combining with Thiago Almada and side-footing home from 12 yards.
The 38-year-old Argentina captain appeared to secure his hat-trick when he chipped the ball over Romo in the 89th minute, only to be flagged for offside.
Messi, who said last week this qualifying campaign would almost certainly be his last, was saluted by more than 80,000 fans chanting his name in the final minutes.
The result at Estadio Monumental leaves Argentina 10 points clear at the top of the South American group with one matchday remaining.
Venezuela, seeking to qualify for its first World Cup, remains seventh in the 10-team standings, a position that would earn it a playoff spot.
In next Tuesday's final round of qualifiers, Argentina will meet Ecuador in Guayaquil, while Venezuela hosts Colombia in Maturin. ■
