Beijing, September 8, China News Network On September 8, Beijing time, the world champion Argentina team hosted Ecuador in the first round of the 2026 World Cup South American qualifiers. With a direct free kick from captain Messi in the 77th minute, "three-star" Argentina won 1-0 and embarked on a victory to defend their World Cup title.
Image source: Argentine national football team official social media
At the World Cup in Qatar late last year, Messi led Argentina to the crown again after 36 years, adding the blue and white jersey with the third star symbolizing the world champion.
The match was played at the Monument Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, marking the official start of Argentina's World Cup title defense.
Compared with the main lineup in the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina's starting list has not changed much: goalkeeper Martinez; Backline Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; midfielders De Paul, Enzo Fernandes, McAllister; Messi, Lautaro, Gonzalez upfront.
Image source: Argentine national football team official social media
In the first half, Argentina was the dominant side, but was slow to score. Lautaro Martinez, who was an impressive player at Inter Milan, had many good chances but had little luck shooting on goal.
The stalemate was not broken until the 77th minute. Argentina won a free-kick in front, but despite the Ecuadorian player's efforts to line up the wall, they could not stop Messi's shot. The captain of Argentina scored the team's first goal of the World Qualifiers.
It was also Messi's 104th goal for the individual national team and the 29th goal in the World Qualifiers. With this goal, Messi equalled Suarez and became the all-time top scorer in the South American World Qualifiers.
The 1-0 score was held until the end. Argentina took the first three points of the US-Canada-Mexico World Qualifiers, and the Pampas Eagles started their title defense with a victory.
Image source: Argentine national football team official social media
"Everyone wants to beat Argentina. Now we are champions, even more so. Messi said after the game, "The qualifiers are a tough battle, Ecuador has very good players. We were the most recent world champions, but things change fast. You have to keep going and try to qualify for the next World Cup. ”
Just this week, Messi was once again shortlisted for the 30-man Ballon d'Or and is leading the odds list. Messi, with seven Ballon d'Or trophies in hand, has already set an all-time record, and an eighth seems to be beckoning to him not far away. (End)