Argentina defeated Ecuador 1-0 in Buenos Aires thanks to a fantastic moment from Lionel Messi, who scored a brilliant free kick. Thanks to their captain, La Albiceleste had the ideal start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign.
About nine months ago, Argentina won one of the most exciting global Cup finals in history to become the new global champions. They played Ecuador to start the qualifying round for the next Mundial scheduled for 2026 in the United States of America.
Since joining Inter Miami, during which he has had a fantastic debut, Lionel Messi came back and took the team’s command for the first time. Along with Lautaro Martinez as well as Nico Gonzalez, the 36-year-old began for La Albiceleste as coach Lionel Scaloni went with his effective attackers.
How did Argentina beat Ecuador in CONMEBOL Qualifiers?
Ecuador’s defence was gladiatorial as they put bodies in the way of the Argentine players’ intended targets to prevent them from having any obvious gaps. In the last seconds of the first half, Lautaro Martinez came the closest, smartly striking the post.
It was much of the same in the second half, as Messi’s offence did not get going until the 69th minute. The seven-time Ballon d’Or champion avoided many obstacles in Ecuador’s half until firing a soft shot into Hernan Galindez’s hands.
But nine minutes later, in Buenos Aires, the inevitable occurred, sending the local supporters into raptures. Lionel Messi was awarded a free kick when Lautaro Martinez got fouled at the edge of the Ecuadorian penalty area. The 36-year-old scored in his ninth straight international game after burying his attempt beyond the stranded Galindez, much as in his Inter Miami debut.
With 29 goals, he now shares the record with Luis Suarez for the most strikes in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying history. Exequiel Palacios replaced Messi during the 89th minute, and that strike was enough to lead his side to an important victory.
Fans react to Messi’s magical free-kick against Ecuador during World Cup 2026 Qualification:
LEO MESSI WHAT AN INSANE FREE KICK GOAL pic.twitter.com/5fFLzmdlSk
— MC (@CrewsMat10) September 8, 2023
The keeper didn’t even move ?
— Kevin (@SpanishBalde) September 8, 2023
The menacing man arrives and sinks his flaming spear into the hearts of Ecuador
— MarketWizardry (@_marketwizardry) September 8, 2023
Goat for a reason!
— Muhammed (@Asdull1Muhammed) September 8, 2023
THE GREATEST PLAYER OFF ALL TIME WALLAHI
— Abdullah (@AbduFootball) September 8, 2023
Seriously though, where else was he going to place it??? Why would the keeper stay where he was? It’s not going to the middle…..
— 7 Picos Finance (@7_PicosFinance) September 8, 2023
Messiiiiiiii. THE GREATEST FOOTBALL PLAYER EVER!!!!
— FERDIE?? (@ferdie_lawrence) September 8, 2023
This messi kid is decent he has a bright future
— MESSI (@2BAAASQUAD) September 8, 2023
Scripted game, that keeper suppose to catch that ball but obviously Messi paid him ??
— Cmetu ????? (@metuchizzy) September 8, 2023
We all just knew he was gonna score
— R ? (@Lionel30i) September 8, 2023
ITS TOO EASY FOR HIM
— keepin it real? (@keepin_it__real) September 8, 2023
It’s always magical ?
— Lord Franklin ??? (@LordFrankiz) September 8, 2023
It’s always magical ?
— Lord Franklin ??? (@LordFrankiz) September 8, 2023
