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An early goal by Lionel Messi via the penalty mark left the only goal of a pale match between Argentina and Ecuador. The team led by Lionel Scaloni won 1-0 at La Bombonera, on the first date of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers; three points to the table, but quite a concern for his game.
It was not a brilliant match for Argentina or Lionel Messi, but it served for what football means: winning. However, there are things to improve for the next date against Bolivia.
From very early on, Argentina’s most colorful football was seen. At minute 13, Lucas Ocampos received a foul inside the area by Estupiñán. Messi, the captain who returned to Albiceleste, scored the only goal of the game.
From there, the pace of play was lowered and the team led by Gustavo Alfaro tried to take the course of the game. However, nothing they found the final route to hurt Franco Armani, Argentine goalkeeper.
The first half left few goal options and Lionel Messi made it 1-0. Enner Valencia, in Ecuador, was the one who tried dangerously in the Armani arc.
The second half started more moved and there was an arrival from Ocampos that Domínguez saved. Then, in response, Valencia finished off for an Armani save in the first minutes.
However, it was more of the same. Argentina failed to create important scoring options. Messi, although he was the benchmark, did not have his great game and Argentina was content with 1-0.
And of course they were satisfied, because Alfaro’s team did not make a diagonal or a filtered pass of danger. Argentina won and walked the court, but Ecuador helped this. 1-0 final and without problem for the Albiceleste.
On the following day, Argentina will visit Bolivia and Ecuador will host Uruguay for the second round of the Qualifiers.
