Lionel Messi scored a free kick, helping Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

*Score: Messi 78′.

Playing at the Monumental home ground, but the World Cup champion faced many difficulties against an opponent with a physical and well-organized background. In the first half, Ecuador’s pressing style prevented Argentina from developing the ball from home. Not only that, the loss of the ball in the defense and midfield many times made Argentine fans’ hearts skip a beat.

The home team showed a different face in the second half. They created greater pressure, especially after coach Lionel Scaloni sent attacking players like Angel Di Maria or Julian Alvarez onto the field. In the 78th minute, Argentina was awarded a free kick 20 meters from the goal. Messi kicked around the fence, touching the edge of the post into the net in the astonishment of goalkeeper Hernan Ismael Galindez.

This is the 29th goal Messi scored for Argentina in World Cup qualifying, equaling the achievement with his former teammate at Barca Luis Suarez. Although he left European football and went to the US to play for Inter Miami, the 36-year-old striker proved that Argentina still needs his qualities at important times. Messi is the most important difference between the two teams in a tense match, when Argentina pushed high and took risks against the opponent’s counterattacks.

Ecuador did not play badly on the world champion’s field. Midfielder Moises Caicedo, who became an English football record signing when moving from Brighton to Chelsea this summer, is the bright spot in the away team’s play. Strong tackling ability and strength helped Caicedo lock down Messi for most of the match, until the Argentinian captain flashed with a successful free kick.

This is Ecuador’s first official match since appointing coach Felix Sanchez, who led the Qatar team from 2017 to 2022. The Spanish coach left a certain mark, creating a united team. and discipline. But perhaps, Sanchez needs more time to improve Ecuador’s attacking ability. Many times, the away team had the opportunity to counterattack in a superior position but was too hasty and was caught by Argentina’s experienced defenders.

Besides Messi’s goal, Argentina had a few opportunities but missed them all. In the first half, they had less access to Galindez’s goal. The most dangerous situation came in injury time, when Rodrigo De Paul crossed the ball to Lautaro Martinez’s position. But the touch of the Inter Milan striker sent the ball off the post and out.

After conceding a goal, Ecuador was forced to rise high in search of an equalizer and leave a lot of space at home. This is an opportunity for Argentina to finish off their opponents. From De Paul’s breakthrough, Di Maria had a chance to shoot in the penalty area but missed the ball. Not long after, Di Maria returned the favor to De Paul after the home team’s smooth transition. However, De Paul’s kick from a tight angle could not defeat Galindez.

However, the close victory was enough for Argentina to take the lead in the South American World Cup qualifiers. They have the same three points as Colombia, who beat Venezuela 1-0. On September 12, Messi and his teammates will play their next match, away to Bolivia.