Argentina vs Ecuador: 83, 000 fans watch Messi equal WCQ record with stunning free kick

It’s another record within sight for Inter Miami playmaker Lionel Messi as Argentina kicked off their World Cup qualifiers with a win. 

Messi has equalled Luis Suarez’s goals in the World Cup qualifiers after he scored the only goal of the game in Argentina’s 1-0 win against a stubborn Ecuador side in Buenos Aires. 

It was a match that the home side dominated but found little joy as their visitors remained resolute. 

Messi put on a show again as Argentina had 71 per cent of the possession and created the better chances in the game.

However, the World Champions could not find a way behind Ecuador's defense until late in the second half. 

Argentina was awarded a free kick in a dangerous area 12 minutes from time and Messi made no mistakes with a stunning goal. 

The 36-year-old who has been unstoppable for his American club, Inter Miami, continues from where he stopped for club and country. 

Apart from scoring the winner, he created two chances, made two key passes, and completed the most dribbles (four) before he was subbed off in the 89th minute.

The strike against Ecuador was Messi’s eighth goal in the last eight matches for his country and sees him equal a record held by his former clubmate, Suarez.

Messi and Suarez are now joint-top scorers of all time in the South American World Cup qualifiers with 29 goals each. 

At least 83, 000 fans were at the Monumental Stadium in the Argentina capital to watch their 2022 World Cup hero take another step to breaking another scoring record. 

That goal also takes Messi’s tally for Argentina to 104 goals and he had some nice words for his former clubmate, Suarez.

"It's a pleasure for me that we are both there," said Messi, as per ABC. "Given what the qualifiers mean for us in South American football, it's a very nice thing for both of us."