World champion Argentina is trying to achieve its first success on the way to the 2026 World Cup. Of course, Lionel Messi scored the decisive goal against Ecuador.
Superstar Lionel Messi sees soccer world champion Argentina facing a strenuous qualification for the 2026 World Cup after their arduous 1-0 opening win against Ecuador.
“Everyone wants to beat Argentina – and now that we are world champions, even more so,” said the 36-year-old after the first qualifying success on the way to the upcoming tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Messi also wrote on Instagram: “A very valuable triumph to start this new path! Thanks to everyone for the renewed support!!!”
Messi scored the final score for the hosts with a free kick in the 77th minute. Shortly before the final whistle, the captain was replaced by Exequiel Palacios from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. “It was a very difficult game, very physical. I was a little tired and was substituted, but I felt good,” said Messi, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami in the USA in the summer.
With the encounter at the Estadio Monumental in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, the defending champions opened the fight for tickets for the next World Cup worldwide. For the first time in history, 48 nations will take part in the final tournament. The final will take place on July 19, 2026. After the opening victory in front of their home crowd, the Argentinians will meet Bolivia next Tuesday near La Paz.
“We know that these are difficult games in qualifying,” said Messi. The past test matches and “today’s fight for points has shown that it’s not an easy group,” the multiple world footballer emphasized: “Not long ago we were world champions, but it seems like a lot has happened.”
Source: Stern
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