Messi magic earns Argentina win over Ecuador in World Cup qualifier

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. "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. In other qualifiers, Paraguay drew 0-0 with Peru while Colombia claimed a 1-0 home win over Venezuela.