The world champion Argentina defeated its counterpart from Ecuador 1-0 (partially 0-0) this Thursday with the goal of the star Lionel Messi, in the match for the first term of the qualification for the World Cup 2026.
Lionel Messi (78) from a free kick scored a goal for a narrow victory for the Albiceleste, in a tight and rough match, in which Ecuador put up a fierce resistance, and only succumbed to the inexorable genius of the Argentine captain.
In the second term, which will be played next Tuesday, Argentina visits Bolivia in La Paz, and Ecuador welcomes Uruguay in Quito.
It didn’t take long for Argentina to take control of the ball, against Ecuador set up with a line of five at the back, with Hurtado and Estupiñán forced to withdraw due to the rise of Argentina’s full-backs.
The Albiceleste turned decisively into Ecuadorian territory but struggled to find space, without the change of pace needed to change the structure Ecuador had built to defend Galíndez.
With Argentina close to 70% possession, it took Ecuador just over 20 minutes to get close to the area, with Hurtado’s cross Caicedo unable to control, and a couple of goals for Enner Valencia, forced to struggle in body battles against ‘Cuti’ Romero and Otamendi.
In the epilogue of the first half, Argentina had another chance, with De Paulo’s frontal cross that was received by Martínez, but his shot bounced off the right post.
Solid Ecuadorian trench
The build-up didn’t change at all at the start of the second half, with Ecuador concentrating on maintaining a solid trench around Galíndez and Argentina largely dominating the game, but the Albiceleste always found a leg or a saving cross near the away ground.
Scaloni decided to make changes in search of the goal needed to break Ecuador, but at the same time the progress of the world champions left a wide space that Ecuador tried to exploit at Valencia, who had a rebound in the penalty area, but it ended very poorly in the hands of Draw. Martinez.
Ineffective in disrupting Ecuador with the usual means, Argentina found the key to victory thirteen minutes before the end with a masterful play, an ideal free kick for Messi 21 meters from the goal, which Argentina’s “10” performed with its skill. He put the ball away by the right post, far from Galíndez, who may have been absent.
The local team unlocked the game at the right moment, there was almost no time for Ecuador to suggest a recovery, and in fact Argentina had several opportunities to increase the lead, Di María crossed with his left foot after a cross that went close, and a save by Galíndez before the required shot De Paula.
The world champions began their journey to the biggest event in 2026 with a hard-fought victory, as expected, against a solid Ecuador, but fell short when the Argentine captain had the chance to break the tricolor armor with a gem of his style. (D)
South American qualifiers 2026
Source: Eluniverso
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
