36-year-old’s free-kick secures 1-0 win for world championsHe 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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