BUENOS AIRES, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's second-half goal gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Ecuador on Thursday to get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off on the right foot.
World champions Argentina were dominant in possession but frustrated in attack as they struggled to make the breakthrough.
Captain Messi, however, continued the fine form he is showing with club side Inter Miami by scoring from a free kick after 77 minutes.
"Everyone always wants to beat Argentina and even more so now that we are the world champions.
"The objective is to qualify for the World Cup again.
Persons:
Lionel Messi's, Captain Messi, Messi, we've, Luis Suarez, Janina Nuno Rios, Peter Rutherford
Organizations:
Argentina, Ecuador, Inter Miami, South American, South, Bolivia, Venezuela, CONMEBOL, Thomson
Locations:
BUENOS AIRES, Uruguay, South American, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico City