Twitter reacts as Lionel Messi and Argentina extend unbeaten streak to 31 matches with draw against Ecuador
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, matched the nation's all-time undefeated streak record of 31 matches with a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in their penultimate CONMEBOL 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
La Albiceleste had previously gone undefeated in the same number of games between 1991 and 1993, and have now done so again in the build-up to this year's World Cup.
Having already secured qualification for the world's biggest football competition in November last year, Argentina began the match against Ecuador hoping to win and continue building important momentum. Although Ecuador possessed much of the ball in the first half, it was the visitors who scored the first goal when Julian Alvarez scored his first international goal in the 24th minute.
La Albiceleste headed into the half-time break with the advantage, hoping to build on it in the second half. However, Ecuador continued to put in a spirited performance and maintained significant possession of the ball, but simply failed to break through La Albiceleste's defense until late into stoppage time.
In the 92nd minute of the game, a controversial refereeing decision along with VAR's involvement handed Ecuador a penalty. Second-half substitute Enner Valencia stepped up to take it but saw his shot excellently saved by Geronimo Rulli. However, the rebound fell kindly back to Valencia, and this time he put it away to restore parity in the 93rd minute.
Despite not getting all three points, Lionel Messi and co. are certain to finish second in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifying stage. They are six points adrift of first-placed Brazil, but have a place in this year's World Cup in the bag.
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi set to play his fifth FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi may be struggling at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this season, but he's still one of the best players to have ever played the sport. It comes as little surprise that La Albiceleste's hopes at the 2022 FIFA World Cup will depend heavily on how the 34-year-old performs on the biggest stage of them all.
The Argentina captain is the most experienced player in the team and will be playing in his fifth FIFA World Cup, having made his debut in the competition back in 2006.
Despite his struggles at club level, Lionel Messi will undeniably give it his all to try and lead his national team to more glory, having led them to victory in the 2021 Copa America.
Following Argentina's draw against Ecuador, fans from all around the world took to social media to share their thoughts. Without further ado, here is a look at some of the best reactions:
Argentina now undefeated in 31 matches. Their longest undefeated streak ever which equals their best undefeated run of 31 matches between 1991-1993. https://t.co/n2zKsaW9Yz
1978: Nigeria did not qualify for the World Cup
Winner: Argentina 馃弳馃嚘馃嚪
1986: Nigeria did not qualify for the World Cup
Winner: Argentina 馃弳馃嚘馃嚪
2022: Nigeria does not qualify for the World Cup
World Cup Winner: 馃憖
#Messi饟兊 #Argentina
#WorldCup #WorldCup2022 https://t.co/Fr21uxnVir
There is still room for improvement. I sincerely hope @Argentina doesn't get complacent with the 31-games unbeaten. Argentina is good but not perfect, keep fighting, keep working till the last minute.
#VamosArgentina 馃嚘馃嚪
Also my favorites to win the World Cup are Argentina 馃嚘馃嚪 The chemistry they have on and off the field is most def special and helps them ALOT
@aliona_a_ @Argentina I wish Messi delivers average performance in PSG so that he could give his all in NT. I wish the same for rest of the boys. Current team isn't perfect but they aren't average either. They're above it
Messi dropping this deep to create for majority of his career and still having 760 career goals is not talked about enough. 馃悙 https://t.co/dx5pROIfvZ
messi is going to return at psg where they don't deserve him https://t.co/HzUx6Zk7on
@ESPNFC Might as well hand the trophy to Messi 馃拃
Messi is still the Goat 馃悙
Messi is Winning the #WC2022
If Argentina wins the World Cup, I'll tattoo that cup and Messi on my leg
@RyanRosenblatt I think the weird thing here is that Messi has played on tons of terrible Argentina teams and this was actually one of the better ones. Knocking them seems silly.