W/Cup Qualifiers: Messi Scores As Argentina Begin Title Defence With Victory

Lionel Messi got world champions, Argentina, off to a winning start in the South America World Cup qualifying series on Thursday with a 1-0 victory at home against visiting Ecuador.

Inter Miami super star, who led Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in Qatar last December, showed his importance yet again with a trademark, curling free-kick goal to give Argentina a breakthrough in what had threatened to be a frustrating night for Lionel Scaloni’s team.

Lautaro Martinez won a free-kick in a central area in the 78th minute, just outside the Ecuador penalty area and Messi executed to perfection with his effort floating over the wall and dipping perfectly to beat the stationary Hernan Galindez.

With the goal, Messi drew level with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez of Uruguay as the all-time leading scorers in the South American qualifiers, both with 29 goals.

The Albiceleste had dominated possession against an Ecuador side which defended in numbers and limited their attacks to the occasional break on the counter.

The first opening of the game fell to Messi in the 16th minute when he was found on the edge of the box but put his side-foot effort wide of the post.

Just before the break, Lautaro Martinez went closer when he slid in to meet a Rodrigo De Paul and his shot struck the post.

Messi worked himself an opening in the 69th minute but his low shot was weakly struck and was comfortably dealt with by Galindez.

But the 80,000 crowd in the Estadio Monumental were brought to their feet by Messi’s goal and from then on it was smooth sailing for Argentina.

De Paul, who was excellent throughout, dribbled across from the right setting up substitute Angel Di Maria but his effort was just wide.

Then De Paul brought a fine save out of Galindez near the end with a close-range blast at the near post.

LEADERSHIP reports that the next World Cup is slated for 2016.