BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi’s late second-half free-kickgoal gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Ecuador on Thursday to get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off on the right foot.

World champion Argentina was dominant in possession but frustrated in attack as it struggled to make the breakthrough. Messi, however, continued the fine form he is showing with club side Inter Miami by scoring from a free kick in the 77th minute.

In other qualifiers, Paraguay drew 0-0 with Peru while Colombia claimed a 1-0 home win over Venezuela.

The first round of CONMEBOL qualifiers continues when Uruguay host Chile before Brazil take on Bolivia.