Argentina vs Ecuador, summary: Messi, score, goals & highlights ...

Winning can't always be pretty

Playing in Buenos Aires for the first game of their title defense was always going to be something special, but on a night when Argentina needed to start strongly, it's got to be said that there was nothing stand out about the team's performance. Of course credit must be given to their opponents Ecuador, who worked tirelessly across the 90 minutes to close space, cut channels, and above all contain Leo Messi.

Special mention must be made of Moises Caicedo who stuck to Argentina's captain like gum on the bottom of your shoe. Indeed, one could tell that Messi himself was impressed by the 21-year-old from the manner in which they exchanged across the game. Yet, the odds were always going to be stacked against the Ecuadorians coming into this one, and despite the fact that they more or less limited Argentina to a handful of clear cut chances - both sides had 3 shots on goal - you got the feeling that it was only a matter of time before the world champions got it right.

That moment came in the 78th minute when Messi converted a beautiful free kick from just in front of the box. To be fair to Gallinez in Ecuador's goal, few if any shot stoppers in the world would have had a chance at stopping the effort. If you ask me, none.

So, with that Messi did what Messi does and once more the Albiceleste were off and running. Interestingly, what occurred next was perhaps the only period of the game where both sides played some attractive football. That's not to say it was ugly before, but it was more akin to a battle of braun that one of wits. That's precisely why Di Maria's late contributions and those of Ecuador's two substitutes, Ortiz and Rodriguez, where welcome sights.

Ultimately, Argentina were the better side, but not by a whole lot. There will be undoubtedly valuable lessons learned from tonight as Scaloni and his men go forward. As for Ecuador, though they will feel frustrated with the loss, one has to imagine that they will take many positives from a night when they went toe for toe with the champions of the world. With that, I hope you enjoyed the coverage and I bid you a goodnight!