CNN —Argentina got its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start thanks to yet another sublime Lionel Messi free kick. “We know that they are difficult matches in the qualifiers,” Messi told reporters after the match. We have to keep going, competing and qualifying for the next World Cup, take it game after game. Everyone wants to beat Argentina and now that we are champions, even more so.”Messi’s goal was his 29th in World Cup qualifying campaigns, equaling his old Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez’s record. While the Albiceleste dominated possession, an organized Ecuador team – which will be expecting to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – stifled the home team’s attack for much of the match.

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Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Hernán Galíndez, ” Messi, Marcelo Endelli, ”, Luis Suarez’s, Gustavo Garello Organizations: CNN, Argentina, Inter Miami, “, South Locations: Ecuador, Argentina’s, “ Ecuador, Argentina, Barcelona, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile