eludes Ecuador’s Angel Mena during their 2022 FIFA World Cup South
American qualifier football match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos
Aires on October 8, 2020, amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus
pandemic. Marcelo Endelli / POOL / AFP
Lionel Messi put his Barcelona troubles behind him to
fire Argentina to an opening 1-0 victory over Ecuador in World Cup
qualifying on Thursday.
The 33-year-old great has been in open conflict with his club
but it had no detrimental effect on his form as his 13th-minute
penalty was the difference in a tight encounter.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner unsuccessfully tried to force
his way out of the Catalan giants in the close season but he seemed
much happier in the light blue and white jersey of his country.
And Argentina needed him to be on top form in a bid to avoid
slipping up at home to Ecuador for the second successive time in an
opening World Cup qualifier having lost 2-0 to the same opponents
four years ago.
Dominguez (R) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi greet each other at the
end of their 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football
match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on October 8, 2020,
amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.AGUSTIN MARCARIAN /
POOL / AFP
In the surreal atmosphere of an empty Bombonera — the iconic
stadium in Buenos Aires that is usually bouncing from the passion
of fervent fans was left barren by coronavirus restrictions —
Argentina never looked in danger of another shock defeat.
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The hosts predictably dominated possession but struggled to
break down an organized and physical Ecuador outfit that proved a
different proposition to the one dispatched 6-1 in a friendly a
year ago.
The breakthrough came after a reckless challenge by Pervis
Estupinan sent Lucas Ocampo sprawling in the box, with Messi
stepping up to lash home his 71st international goal.
Ocampos was presented with a glorious chance to double the lead
early in the second half but goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez dived
full length to keep out his low shot from eight yards.
Rodrigo De Paul fired narrowly wide for the hosts with the last
kick of the match.
In Montevideo, Luis Suarez scored a record-extending 60th
international goal for Uruguay before substitute Maxi Gomez bagged
an injury-time winner against Chile.
Atletico Madrid forward Suarez opened the scoring from the
penalty spot on 39 minutes after Sebastian Vegas was harshly
penalized for handball.
Inter Milan’s Alexis Sanchez equalised with a low shot on 54
minutes but Gomez had the last word with a stunning half-volley
from 20 yards to complete the 2-1 win.
It was honors even between Paraguay and Peru in Asuncion as
Angel Romero for the hosts and Andre Carrillo both scored a
brace.
AFP
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