Lionel Messi: Football Fan Spots Genius Piece of Play Before Argentine Scored Free Kick

• Lionel Messi was at it again for Argentina as he scored a free kick against Ecuador
• That goal proved to be the winner as Argentina claimed a 1-0 win in the World Cup qualifier
• A fan on social media has now highlighted why the goalkeeper stood no chance

One football fan went viral on social media after pinpointing a genius tactic from Argentina players which helped them to a 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday, September 7.

The two nations cancelled each other out for most of a game which needed something special to tip the balance of play.

And of course, it all came in the form of Messi and his trademark free kick from the edge of the box in the 78th minute.

The Inter Miami attacker, who is among the favourites for an eighth Ballon d’Or, curled in another devastating free kick to add to his incredible tally.

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Argentina held on for the remainder of the match to claim a crucial win.

Genius tactic

While there is no denying Lionel Messi’s prowess from dead balls, some factors certainly played in his favour.

One social media user, identified as @CrewsMat10, spotted a particularly interesting tactic, moments before Messi struck his 65th career free kick.

There happened to be three Argentina players in the wall, and they stood directly in front of Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, blocking part of his peripheral vision.

Galindez knew little about the free kick, barely reacting as he helplessly watched the ball fly past the wall and into his net.

“The importance of the 3 Argentine players in the wall is crazy. They block the goalkeeper who can’t see was [once] the ball is hit.” The fan pointed out on Twitter.

Everyone wants to beat Argentina

Speaking after the game, Messi hailed his team for the win, although he also admitted Argentina was a nation everyone wanted to beat after their World Cup success in December 2022.

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"Now that we are world champions, even more," he said as per Euro Sport.

“That's why we can't go down. We even have to go up a little more than we were doing. The demand in each game is maximum and, surely more and more."

Messi embarrasses Caicedo

Sports Brief also reported on how Messi tricked Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo with a sublime skill on Thursday.

The €115 million signing from Brighton and Hove Albion was turned inside out, with the former Barcelona man managing to keep the ball out of his grasp. Caicedo is known for his timely interceptions and ball retrievals but against the Argentine, he met his match.

Caicedo is known for his timely interceptions and ball retrievals but against the Argentine, he met his match.