Argentina 1-0 in South American World Cup qualifiers
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — As soon as once more, and now as a World Cup champion, Lionel Messi got here to Argentina’s rescue when the group most wanted him.
The 36-year-old captain scored from a free kick within the 78th minute to present Argentina a 1-0 win in opposition to Ecuador within the first spherical of South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
Anúncios
It was Messi’s 104th aim in 176 worldwide appearances, together with his twenty ninth in World Cup qualifying. These 29 targets equal the document of Luis Suárez of Uruguay.
Greater than 83,000 followers on the almost full Monumental de Nuñez Stadium have been getting jittery till Messi scored, with their group having hit the publish and the bar throughout the match, and providing Ecuador a number of probabilities to counter.
Anúncios
Ecuador kept Argentina under control for much of the match with a defensive position
Ecuador stored Argentina at bay throughout a lot of the match with a defensive position of 5 gamers, led by Moisés Caicedo, which put Messi below wraps throughout a lot of the conflict in Buenos Aires. However the decisive second of the star was sufficient to beat the hard-working Ecuadorians.
Goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez didn’t transfer as Messi’s shot from the sting of the field went to the again of the web, close to the left publish.
Anúncios
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who accomplished 5 years within the job on Thursday, shocked followers with a distinct formation from the one which performed and gained the World Cup remaining over France in Qatar. He benched Ángel Di María and began Nicolás González.
Scaloni additionally used Lautaro Martínez as his heart ahead as an alternative of Julián Álvarez. Argentina’s coach, who’s but to lose a match in South American qualifying, introduced Di María in throughout the second half, however Argentina continued struggling to get clear probabilities.
Anúncios
“Each match wants 100% from us on this qualifying,” Messi stated after the match. “This was a troublesome match to play, a really bodily one.”
Earlier, Colombia beat Venezuela 1-0 with a header by Rafael Santos Borré within the forty sixth minute. Paraguay and Peru drew 0-0.
Anúncios
Argentina and Colombia lead the classification
Argentina and Colombia lead the standings with three factors. Paraguay and Peru are subsequent with one. Ecuador has minus three factors due to a FIFA punishment that triggered a deduction in South American qualifying for the falsification of start data of defender Byron Castillo, who’s of Colombian origin.
The primary spherical of South American qualifying can be accomplished on Friday when Brazil hosts Bolivia and Uruguay performs in opposition to Chile.
All 10 groups within the area will play their second spherical on Tuesday.
The 2026 version of the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada is increasing to a 48-team format. The main six positions in South America will safe a direct spot. The seventh-place group will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.