Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against Ecuador in the qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup.Luciano González (EFE)
Lionel Messi caressed the ball, which again flew gently over the barrier, anchoring itself in the Ecuadorian goal and giving Argentina three points in the world champions’ debut in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The game was opaque and Scaloni’s men, officially celebrating their first place in the world rankings, were only able to delight the crowd when the figure of their guardian angel reappeared.
After the game, the victim and perpetrator hugged each other, and Hernán Galíndez, Aucas’ veteran goalkeeper, accepted the number 10 jersey as a gift to ease the pain of defeat. Both met as children when they competed in children’s tournaments in Rosario. Lionel is still without treatment to gain centimeters, Galíndez is already notable for his height. In one of the finals in which they met, the goalkeeper took the bike with which the champion was rewarded, leaving his rival with a tear. He would then take on Ecuadorian citizenship to re-evaluate himself as an adult in this debut on the World Cup away tour.
Ecuador were bottom of the list than ever, having started the process with three points deducted by FIFA due to Byron Castillo’s poor registration in the previous qualifying round after it was discovered that the full-back was born in Colombia. His new coach is the Spaniard Félix Sánchez, a former Qatar coach who, despite investing millions, was unable to win a single point in the World Cup he organized. He also failed to get Moisés Caicedo, for whom Chelsea paid 116 million euros, to make a difference on the pitch.
The first day was characterized by a few goals. Colombia narrowly beat its neighbors Venezuela and went 12 games without defeat, its third-best historical streak. Paraguay barely managed to equalize with Peru despite playing with another team in the second half, increasing the pressure on the Barros-Schelotto twins, who technically failed to create the illusion of a country which has not taken part in the World Cup for a long time.
By increasing the places for South America, ten countries are fighting for six direct places and one for the playoffs, which increases the chances of the favorites. Brazil, for example, will begin its trial against Bolivia with a provisional seat on the bench. Fernando Dinitiz will lead the process while awaiting the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, whose task will not be to classify him but rather to win back the world title. In doing so, he breaks a long tradition of local coaches for the five-time champions, such as Marcelo Bielsa, an Argentine who will lead Uruguay in their debut against Chile with a bigger task: to bring the Charrúas back to prominence in 2026.
At the beginning, the focus was on the admission prices at the individual locations. While Leonel Scaloni claimed the value he had to pay for nine tickets for his close matches, Arturo Vidal loudly demanded a discount on tickets for the Chilean team’s home debut at a stadium destroyed by the Bruno Mars concert rain in Santiago.
The most beautiful party on the continent is just beginning. And Messi, as always, provides the music.
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