Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the crew’s first objective throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Argentina and Ecuador at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on September 07, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Once once more, and now as a World Cup champion, Lionel Messi got here to Argentina's rescue when the crew most wanted him.

The 36-year-old captain scored from a free kick within the 78th minute to present Argentina a 1-0 win in opposition to Ecuador within the first spherical of South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

It was Messi's 104th objective in 176 worldwide appearances, together with his twenty ninth in World Cup qualifying. Those 29 objectives equal the file of Luis Suárez of Uruguay.

LIONEL MESSI FREE KICK GOAL! 🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/yAsas0pRTQ

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 8, 2023

More than 83,000 followers on the almost full Monumental de Nuñez Stadium have been getting jittery till Messi scored, with their crew having hit the publish and the bar throughout the match, and providing Ecuador a number of probabilities to counter.

Ecuador saved Argentina at bay throughout many of the match with a line of defense of 5 gamers, led by Moisés Caicedo, which put Messi beneath wraps throughout many of the conflict in Buenos Aires. But the decisive second of the star was sufficient to beat the hard-working Ecuadorians.

Goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez didn't transfer as Messi's shot from the sting of the field went to the again of the web, close to the left publish.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who accomplished 5 years within the job on Thursday, stunned followers with a unique formation from the one which performed and gained the World Cup last over France in Qatar. He benched Ángel Di María and began Nicolás González.

Scaloni additionally used Lautaro Martínez as his middle ahead as an alternative of Julián Álvarez. Argentina's coach, who's but to lose a match in South American qualifying, introduced Di María in throughout the second half, however Argentina continued struggling to get clear probabilities.

“Every match needs 100% from us in this qualifying,” Messi stated after the match. “This was a tough match to play, a very physical one.”

Earlier, Colombia beat Venezuela 1-0 with a header by Rafael Santos Borré within the forty sixth minute. Paraguay and Peru drew 0-0.

Argentina and Colombia lead the standings with three factors. Paraguay and Peru are subsequent with one. Ecuador has minus three factors due to a FIFA punishment that triggered a deduction in South American qualifying for the falsification of beginning info of defender Byron Castillo, who's of Colombian origin.

The first spherical of South American qualifying shall be accomplished on Friday when Brazil hosts Bolivia and Uruguay performs in opposition to Chile.

All 10 groups within the area will play their second spherical on Tuesday.

The 2026 version of the World Cup within the United States, Mexico and Canada is increasing to a 48-team format. The main six positions in South America will safe a direct spot. The seventh-place crew will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.