Lionel Messi suffers horror tackle punished by a red card in Argentina vs. Venezuela qualifier

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Lionel Messi suffers horror tackle punished by a red card in Argentina vs. Venezuela qualifier image

Lionel Messi was lucky to escape a serious injury after suffering a leg-bending tackle against Venezuela in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Argentina claimed the three points in a 3-1 win, but the Albiceleste suffered a nervy moment in the first half of the match, after Messi felt the full force of a Luis Martinez challenge.

The 34-year-old Messi was charging towards the Venezuela box when Martinez stepped up to tackle him. Messi knocked the ball past the defender, but Martinez followed through and his studs were planted into Messi's shin.

MORE: South American qualifying results and standings

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker's leg bent backwards and he fell to the ground, leaving his team-mates and fans nervous about his condition.

Martinez had just come into the match as a sub two minutes before he made the tackle on Messi. The 28-year-old was initially shown a yellow card for the foul but he was soon dismissed after a VAR review.

Despite the horror tackle, Messi was able to carry on and finish the game. It was the first match he had started since leading Argentina to Copa America success in July.

Messi didn't need to carry Argentina in this game with teammates Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa and Angel Correa getting the road goals.

Last month Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain in France, but he has played in just one match for his new club in a substitute appearance. Prior to that PSG debut in Ligue 1 against Stade de Reims, Messi had been undergoing preseason training.

Argentina is on track to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, sitting second behind Brazil in the South American standings. The top four teams advance directly to Qatar with the fifth-placed team entering an intecontinental playoff for a ticket to Qatar.

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