Messi has a right-footed shot from the centre of the box blocked after a move created by Giovani Lo Celso. The chance comes from a well-worked attack but Ecuador’s defence closes him down quickly.

From the ensuing corner, Messi delivers a dangerous cross that finds Germán Pezzella, whose right-footed effort from the centre of the box goes just wide to the left. Messi’s delivery creates a clear scoring opportunity.

Messi unleashes a left-footed shot from the centre of the box that crashes against the right post, agonizingly close to opening the scoring. The rebound escapes Argentina, and Ecuador survive.

Drifting into the left side of the box, Messi’s left-footed shot is blocked after being set up by Leandro Paredes. The move shows Argentina’s control but fails to trouble the goalkeeper.

Messi pounces on a loose ball and slides a perfectly weighted pass into the box for Rodrigo De Paul, who finishes low into the bottom left corner to make it 1–0 for Argentina.

From the left wing, Messi swings in a precise cross that Nicolás González meets with a header from the centre of the box, drawing a save low to the keeper’s left. Messi’s service again carves open Ecuador’s defence.

Messi slides a pass to Nicolás González, whose left-footed shot from outside the box flies too high. The move underscores Messi’s role as the creative hub in Argentina’s attack.

Messi capitalizes on a defensive mistake and threads a precise pass into the box for Lautaro Martínez, who lashes a right-footed shot into the top right corner to put Argentina 2–0 up.

In stoppage time, Messi curls a stunning left-footed free kick into the top right corner from outside the box, sealing a 3–0 win for Argentina with a trademark moment of brilliance.