10 October,2020 11:35 AM IST | Buenos Aires | AFP
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi put his Barcelona troubles behind him to fire Argentina to an opening 1-0 victory over Ecuador in World Cup qualifying on Thursday. Messi, 33, has been in open conflict with his club but it had no detrimental effect on his form as his 13th minute penalty was the difference in a tight encounter.
Messi unsuccessfully tried to force his way out of the Catalan giants but he seemed happier in the light blue and white jersey of his country.
And Argentina needed him to be on top form in a bid to avoid slipping up at home to Ecuador for the second successive time in an opening World Cup qualifier having lost 2-0 to the same opponents four years ago.
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