• Argentina's Lionel Messi smiles during training ahead of the Copa America quarter-final with Venezuela. Reuters
    Argentina's Lionel Messi smiles during training ahead of the Copa America quarter-final with Venezuela. Reuters
  • Messi and teammates during training. Reuters
    Messi and teammates during training. Reuters
  • Messi and teammates work on tactics during training. Reuters
    Messi and teammates work on tactics during training. Reuters
  • Messi relaxes with a ball under his foot. Reuters
    Messi relaxes with a ball under his foot. Reuters
  • There was a relaxed feeling to Argentina's final training session. Reuters
    There was a relaxed feeling to Argentina's final training session. Reuters
  • Messi puts in a sprint. AP Photo
    Messi puts in a sprint. AP Photo
  • Argentina have been slow out of the blocks at the tournament but Messi and his teammates will look to change that against Venezuela. AP Photo
    Argentina have been slow out of the blocks at the tournament but Messi and his teammates will look to change that against Venezuela. AP Photo
  • Messi and Angel Di Maria warm up. AP Photo
    Messi and Angel Di Maria warm up. AP Photo
  • Messi sprints during training. EPA
    Messi sprints during training. EPA
  • From left: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, Messi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Roberto Pereyra take part in a training session. AFP
    From left: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, Messi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Roberto Pereyra take part in a training session. AFP
  • Rodrigo De Paul, left, Otamendi, centre, and Messi have a fun moment during training. AP Photo
    Rodrigo De Paul, left, Otamendi, centre, and Messi have a fun moment during training. AP Photo
  • Messi stands on his own in an apparent moment of thought during training. AP Photo
    Messi stands on his own in an apparent moment of thought during training. AP Photo

Lionel Messi and Argentina train ahead of Copa America quarter-final showdown with Venezuela - in pictures


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Lionel Messi and Argentina failed to convince in the group stages at the Copa America but they will look to put that behind them when they face Venezuela in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Argentina, who have not won the tournament since 1993, had only one point from their first two games in Group B, but a 2-0 win over Qatar put them in the knockout stages.

They face Venezuela in Rio de Janeiro on Friday night knowing that a victory will set up a semi-final on Tuesday against hosts Brazil.

The Brazilians defeated Paraguay on penalties after playing out a 0-0 draw on Thursday in their quarter-final.

Messi and his teammates trained on Thursday at Fluminese's training ground as they prepare to face the Group A runners-up.

Messi, Argentina's captain, has had a quiet tournament so far, his lone goal coming from the penalty spot against Paraguay.

Venezuela are yet to taste defeat in the competition, holding Brazil and Peru to goalless draws in Group A, before beating Bolivia 3-1.

The game kicks off at 11pm UAE time on Friday evening.