Lionel Messi strikes as Argentina beat Ecuador in opening World Cup qualifier

  • 36-year-old’s free-kick secures 1-0 win for world champions
  • He joins Luis Suárez as top scorer in South American qualifying

Lionel Messi’s second-half goal gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Ecuador on Thursday to get the world champions’ qualifying campaign for the 2026 finals off to a positive start.

Argentina were dominant in possession but frustrated in attack as they struggled to make the breakthrough in front of a large crowd in Buenos Aires. Once again it was Messi who came to their rescue, continuing the excellent form he has shown for Inter Miami by scoring from a free-kick after 77 minutes.

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from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/08/lionel-messi-strikes-as-argentina-beat-ecuador-in-opening-world-cup-qualifier

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