Lionel Messi Returns to International Stage as Argentina Defeats Ecuador 1-0 in Copa America Warmup Match
Lionel Messi made a triumphant return to the international stage as he helped Argentina secure a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a Copa America warmup match. The match saw Angel Di Maria scoring the lone goal, with Messi coming on as a substitute in the second half after being sidelined due to injury for the past six months.
Di Maria’s goal came in the 40th minute, as he capitalized on a reverse pass from Christian Romero to put Argentina ahead. This marked Di Maria’s second consecutive goal in an international match, showcasing his prowess on the field.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup and Copa America champion, extended its unbeaten streak against Ecuador to seven matches. Head coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team’s performance against a tough opponent like Ecuador, emphasizing the importance of competing and preparing for the upcoming Copa America tournament.
With the win, Argentina now looks ahead to its final warmup match against Guatemala before kicking off its Copa America campaign against Canada on June 20. Meanwhile, Ecuador will face Bolivia and Honduras in friendly matches before their Copa America opener against Venezuela on June 22.
The return of Messi and the impressive performance by Di Maria have set the stage for an exciting Copa America tournament, with Argentina aiming to defend its title against tough competition. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament approaches.
