On the march again! Messi hands Argentina win over Ecuador
Lionel Messi guided Argentina to a narrow 1-0 win against South American rivals Ecuador with a sumptuous 78th-minute free kick in the world cup qualfiers.
As is customary whenever the World Cup winner steps over a dead ball situation, the Buenos Aires crowd held their breath before the Inter Miami man sent him over the top the wall and in the corner closest to the net.
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Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez couldn’t do much but stop and watch Ecuador’s hopes of scoring a point in the first game of the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The diminutive number 10 was replaced in the 89th minute to the applause and salute of his favorite son from Argentina.
In the other qualifiers, Paraguay drew 0-0 against Peru while Colombia won 1-0 at home against Venezue
World champions Argentina dominated possession but were frustrated in attack as they struggled to break through.
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The first round of the CONMEBOL qualifiers continues on Friday when Uruguay host Chile before Brazil take on Bolivia.
With the goal, Messi tied his close friend and former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez at the top of CONMEBOL WCQ’s all-time goalscoring charts with 29.
Argentina’s next World Cup qualifier will be on September 12 against Bolivia in La Paz.
In Messi’s absence, Inter Miami will play at home against Sporting Kansas City on September 9.