2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Argentina cheers for Lionel Messi in win over Venezuela

Second-place Argentina beat last-place Venezuela 3-0 on Friday in the remaining match of the penultimate round of South American World Cup qualifying.

Lionel Messi, who was recently booed by Paris Saint-Germain fans, appeared pleased after scoring the third goal of the match and receiving enthusiastic support from the spectators at the La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay have already secured the region's four direct spots in Qatar later this year. Peru (21 points), Colombia (20) and Chile (19) will play in the last round on Tuesday for the fifth place, which qualifies for an international playoff with an Asian team.

Argentina opened the scoring with Nico González from close range in the 35th minute after a low cross by Rodrigo de Paul. Ángel di Maria, another player who is under fire in France, netted the second in the 79th minute, lobbing the Venezuelan goalkeeper after an assist by De Paul.

Messi and Brazil star Neymar have both faced criticism in France after their club’s loss to Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Argentina has 38 points in qualifiers, four behind leaders Brazil. Argentina will travel to face third-place Ecuador on Tuesday. FIFA wants Argentina and Brazil to play their suspended match of Sept. 6, when Brazilian health protocols stopped play in the early minutes.