0 2014 Brazil World Cup: Argentina thrashed Ecuador 4-0 as Lionel Messi shine again

Lionel Messi national team form is improving as he helped Argentina climb to the top of the South American World Cup qualifying group gathering 10 points in 5 games after a 4-0 victory over Ecuador. Argentina is in one group with Chile with 9 points, Uruguay and Venezuela both with 8 points. Two Real Madrid players Sergio “El Kun” Aguero and Angel Di Maria, Barcelona and Manchester City players all scored once in the game.


Lionel Messi impressed by performance as Aguero celebrate his birthday
Lionel Messi had his contribution to two others goals by direct assist and superb run which then lead to assist by his team-mate. Looking satisfied by national team performance Messi said   "We've always searched for the connection with the fans. It was a hard game, but we came through it well. Now we have to use every game to improve as a team.'' And Sergio Aguero was happy to celebrate his 24th birthday with a win ''I'm happy because we won on my birthday,'' said Aguero.

Lionel Messi in Argentina vs Ecuador match Photo newhopper

Messi broke European club goal record of 67 by Bayern Munich striker Gerd Mueller in 1972-73, and a world club goals record of 70 set by Archie Stark of Bethlehem Steel in the American Soccer League in 1924-25 by finishing the season with 73 goals. It is a record which will take a long time to be beated by any player including himself.


Argentina is now on course for the 2014 Brazil World Cup with a new coach Alejandro Sabella after Diego Maradona failed in 2010 World Cup and Sergio Batista had disappointing results in Copa America.


Argentina vs Ecuador goals summary
Sergio “El Kun” Aguero (19′)
Gonzalo Higuain (29′) 
Lionel Messi (31′)
Angel di Maria  (75′)


Argentina vs Ecuador video highlights of all goals



Argentina squad
Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Federico Fernández, Ezequiel Garay, Clemente Rodríguez; Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano, Ángel Di María; Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero. Coach: Alejandro Sabella.


Ecuador squad
Alexander Domínguez; Gabriel Achiller, Jairo Campos, Geovanny Espinoza, Walter Ayoví; Antonio Valencia, Segundo Castillo, Cristian Noboa, Fernando Saritama, Cristian Suárez; Cristian Benítez. Coach: Reinaldo Rueda.