Late Messi free-kick helps Argentina beat Ecuador

Thanks to a brilliant late free-kick from Lionel Messi, defending world champions Argentina were able to begin their 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Ecuador at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.

Despite a solid defensive display from Ecuador throughout the game, Messi scored in his eighth straight international match when he effortlessly dispatched a free-kick from the edge of the penalty box in the 77th minute of the game. After Lautaro Martinez was brought down at the top of the penalty area, Messi, as he so often does, slotted home from close range with Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez completely rooted to his spot.

Before the set-piece, Martinez limped off the pitch, replaced by Julian Alvarez, while Leandro Paredes took Alexis Mac Allister's spot. World champions Argentina were dominant in possession but frustrated in attack as they struggled to make the breakthrough.

Messi has been on a sensational scoring streak for Argentina. The 2022 World Cup MVP has been electric with Inter Miami, scoring 11 goals and assisting five more through his first 11 games in the United States. This hot start comes on the heels of Messi's heroics in Qatar last year, where he scored in every single game but one en route to their penalty shootout win over France in the World Cup final.

In other qualifiers, Paraguay drew 0-0 with Peru while Colombia claimed a 1-0 home win over Venezuela. The first round of CONMEBOL qualifiers continues on Friday when Uruguay host Chile before Brazil take on Bolivia.

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