Lionel Messi live updates: Argentina host Ecuador to kick off World ...

Just when a team thinks that they have Argentina pinned against the wall, Lionel Messi steps up and next thing you know, La Albiceleste are leading, and that's just what happened Thursday night against Ecuador in a 1-0 victory to kick off CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Messi lined up a free kick in the 78th minute and executed it with perfection to not only put Argentina ahead in the match but also to become the joint top goalscorer in South American World Cup qualifying with Luis Suarez of Uruguay. Messi scored his 29th goal in a qualifier as Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni continued his undefeated run in qualifying since taking over.

Ecuador started well with their back five withstanding Argentina's attack, but in the end it wasn't enough as La Tri will sit on -3 points in World Cup qualifying. They're behind the ball due to fielding Byron Castillo in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but this isn't a game where Ecuador would've expected to pick up points anyway.

In CONMEBOL qualifying, Argentina is one of the toughest places to go and it only gets harder when the team can bring Angel Di Maria off the bench to change the pace. Add in that Messi hasn't lost a step at 36 and things become impossible for the opposition. Even when the defense was tested, Emi Martinez held firm to ensure that Argentina would leave with all three points.