Messi injured while Ronaldo draws blank on international return

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's friendly against Morocco next week after picking up a groin injury in the shock 3-1 defeat to Venezuela on Friday as he made his first international appearance since the 2018 World Cup. Meanwhile, Ukraine snuffed out Portugal on Cristiano Ronaldo's return to international football, defending stoutly as they held the European champions to a goalless draw in their opening Euro 2020 Group B qualifier on Friday.

Barcelona star Messi started the fixture following a self-imposed eight-month exile in which he missed six friendlies since the tournament in Russia, which they exited in the last 16 at the hands of eventual champions France.

The Argentine Football Federation tweeted the injury update following the loss at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

Gonzalo Martinez has also been ruled out of the fixture in Tangier with a thigh problem.

Salomon Rondon and Jhon Murillo gave Venezuela a two-goal advantage at the break.

Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez halved the deficit before Josef Martinez scored from the spot to claim the spoils in the friendly.

Messi's 129th cap started poorly as Newcastle forward Rondon controlled a long ball before hammering home a half-volley past Argentine goalkeeper Franco Armani.

The pick of the goals came as 23-year-old Murillo scored for only a third time in 17 internationals.

He received the ball on the corner of the box, was given plenty of space by the Albiceleste defence and the winger fired home powerfully past Armani with a minute left of the first half

Argentina's Martinez gave his side some hope on the hour mark as Messi found Giovanni Lo Celso who played in the Inter forward to finish.

Rafael Dudamel's side, ranked 32nd in the world, claimed a third after Martinez was tripped in the box.

The Atlanta United attacker skipped up to take the penalty, sending Armani the wrong way to score with 15 minutes remaining.

The friendly against Morocco on Tuesday comes as they prepare for this year's Copa America, held in Brazil between June-July.

Ronaldo draws blank

Ronaldo was handed the captain's armband by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for his comeback nine months since he last played for his country, in the 2018 World Cup, but the Juventus attacker couldn't help his side find a way past Andriy Shevchenko's stubborn outfit.

The draw was the first time Santos' side have failed to score at home in 19 matches and leaves them second in the group behind Luxembourg, who beat Lithuania 2-1.

"We didn't play as we wanted to. We started slowly, not pressing the way we wanted," said Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva.

"The second half we tried to create chances to go after the game but unfortunately we didn't score."

William Carvalho had a fine header ruled out for offside in the 16th minute and Ronaldo, Pepe and Andre Silva all went close to opening the scoring, but Ukraine stopper Andriy Pyatov was on fine form to deny them.

Ronaldo, who was rested for the last six Portugal games while he settled at new club Juventus, was one of the few players who looked like he had any idea of how to break Ukraine down, but he couldn't inspire his team to victory.

In the end the away side could have snatched the three points through Junior Moraes, only for the debutant to fluff a golden chance to grab a shock win.

"We fulfilled our gameplan in defence, 100 percent. Not conceding at the home of the European champions is a great result," said a satisfied Shevchenko.

"There were some stages in the game where we didn't do well. But Portugal were reshaping very well on the pitch and created us lots of difficulties."

Portugal take on Serbia, who are yet to play in the five-man group, in Lisbon on Monday, while Ukraine travel to group leaders Luxembourg.