Lionel Messi continued with his impeccable form for club and country by scoring a late free kick goal in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina hosted Ecuador at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires on September 8 as La Albiceleste began to defend a title they won last year in Qatar.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Ecuador on September 8. Photo by Juan Mabromata. Source: Getty Images

The visitors proved to be worthy opponents, restricting the World Champions to only a few opportunities.

Inter Milan skipper, Lautaro Martinez had the best opportunity of the game at the stroke of half-time but saw his effort hit the post.

Messi’s free kick against Ecuador

However, as Messi always does, he stepped up in the 78th minute and curled in a wonderful free kick to break the deadlock.

Lionel Scaloni’s charges then held on to begin their campaign with maximum points.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was later hooked off in the 89th minute, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios replacing him.

Messi’s goal also saw him equal Luis Suarez’s record as the player with the most goals in South America’s World Cup qualifiers, as captured by data from Transfermarkt.

Prior to the Ecuador game, Suarez was at 29 goals with his former Barcelona teammate a goal behind him.

With the Uruguayan not called up for this round of qualifiers, the Inter Miami striker will have an opportunity to pull clear when he travels to Bolivia next week for Argentina’s next game.

Messi humiliates Moises Caicedo

Apart from the goal, Sports Brief reported on Messi demolishing Chelsea signing Moises Caicedo with one of his characteristic tricky moves.

The Blues man, who has become a midfield lynchpin for Ecuador, found himself on the wrong side of the veteran as he tried to close him down.