Lionel Messi strikes as Argentina beat Ecuador in opening World Cup qualifier
36-year-old’s free-kick secures 1-0 win for world championsHe joins Luis Suárez as top scorer in South American qualifyingLionel Messi’s second-half goal gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Ecuador on Thursday to get the world champions’ qualifying campaign for the 2026 finals off to a positive start.Argentina were dominant in possession but frustrated …