Argentina got its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start thanks to yet another sublime Lionel Messi free kick.
With the score still goalless after 78 minutes, Messi stepped up and curled a pinpoint effort over the defenders’ wall, rooting Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez to the spot and making him just another spectator. It proved to be the winner in Argentina’s 1-0 victory and the Inter Miami forward then received a huge standing ovation when he was substituted in the 89th minute. “We know that they are difficult matches in the qualifiers,” Messi told reporters after the match.
Everyone wants to beat Argentina and now that we are champions, even more so.” Messi’s goal was his 29th in World Cup qualifying campaigns, equaling his old Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez’s record. In total, Messi now has 104 goals in 176 games for the national team. While the Albiceleste dominated possession, an organized Ecuador team – which will be expecting to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – stifled the home team’s attack for much of the match.
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