Lionel Messi scores free kick goal for Argentina in FIFA World Cup qualifiers 

Messi scored on a free kick in the 78th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 win over Ecuador.

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Messi scored in the 78th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 win over Ecuador in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Thursday night.

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Argentina began their CONMEBOL World Cup with a 1-0 win against Ecuador on Thursday night.

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Messi played his first game with Argentina after the 2022 World Cup finals.

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The World Cup victory sent Argentina to the top of the FIFA world rankings.

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While Brazil has slipped from first place to third place by the beginning of 2023.

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Lionel Messi captained Argentina on his 176th international cap.

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World Cup winners Lisandro Martínez and Rodrigo De Paul also started in this match.

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