Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has scored 71 international goals for Argentina. 22 of those goals have come in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. His 22 goals make him and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez the all-time top scorers of CONMEBOL World Cup qualification.
This is Messi’s fifth World Cup qualification campaign for Argentina, as he began playing in qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He scored his first goal in World Cup qualifying in 2007 against Venezuela in Maracaibo and has scored 4 goals against Ecuador in World Cup qualifying.
Against Ecuador is where Messi has some of his fondest memories in an Argentina jersey, one of his career highlights came against them in a key World Cup qualification match in the high altitude in Quito just recently in 2017. Let’s review all four of Lionel Messi’s goals against Ecuador in World Cup Qualifying.
Lionel Messi First Goal Against Ecuador in World Cup Qualifying
Messi’s first goal against Ecuador came in a 4-0 thrashing in Buenos Aires on June 2nd, 2012. He scored the third goal of the lopsided match as Argentina put up three goals in 45 minutes that day. Sergio Agüero scored in the 19th minute, followed by Inter Miami striker Gonzalo Higuaín in the 29th, Messi added more insult to injury in the 31st minute. Ángel Di María would finish off Ecuador in the second half with a goal in the 76 minute.
Lionel Messi’s vital hat-trick in Quito 2017
To qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Argentina went through hell, an up and down campaign that claimed various coaches and heavy public scrutiny for the squad had a happy ending, all be it momentarily. Argentina needed to win to qualify outright, they traveled to Quito and started the game nervously and went down 1-0 to the host. Then Messi turned savior and played one of his best games in an Argentina jersey, he scored 3 unanswered goals and took Argentina to the 2018 World Cup.
Penalty kick goal to kick-off 2022 World Cup qualifying
Messi’s latest goal against Ecuador came in matchday 1 of South American World Cup qualifying. In a tight contest played in the Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina earned a penalty kick at the start of the match and Messi buried it.
