Yahoo Sports Argentina vs Ecuador: Preview, predictions, lineups
Argentina take on Ecuador in the first quarter-final match at Copa America 2024, and Lionel Messi is said to be a game-time decision.
Argentina unsurprisingly topped Group A at Copa America 2024, winning all three of their matches without conceding a single goal. As Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia battle on the other side of the bracket, La Albiceleste gets to face Ecuador in their first knockout match of the tournament, a team they have not lost to since 2015. Lionel Messi is a doubt for the match, though, after the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner suffered a minor groin injury against Chile.
Ecuador, meanwhile, finished second in Group B, earning themselves the reigning champions as their opponents in the quarter-finals. La Tri have a tough battle ahead if they want a chance at equaling or surpassing their 1993 fourth place finish at the Copa America.
Here's 90min's guide to Argentina vs Ecuador on July 4.
What time does Argentina vs Ecuador kick off?
Argentina vs Ecuador H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Argentina vs Ecuador on TV and live stream
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni has a couple of decisions to make regarding his starting XI against Ecuador. Lionel Messi is still dealing with a minor groin injury that he sustained against Chile, and Marcos Acuna had muscle discomfort that kept him on the bench in Argentina's final Group A fixture. Nicolas Tagliafico is a natural replacement for Acuna, but no one can replace Messi.
Questions are also swirling about Julian Alvarez's place up top when Lautaro Martinez has been Argentina's best player of the tournament so far. Martinez has scored four goals in three matches after only playing 121 minutes.
Argentina predicted lineup vs Ecuador
Argentina predicted lineup vs Ecuador (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
Ecuador team news
Ecuador's group stage at Copa America 2024 left plenty to be desired. La Tri only earned four points from their three matches, but it was enough to send them through to the quarter-finals. Kendry Paez has excelled at this tournament so far, but the 17-year-old will need help from Enner Valencia to pull off a major upset against Argentina.
Angelo Preciado got banged up in Ecuador's last match against Mexico, but the right-back is expected to start on Thursday.
Ecuador predicted lineup vs Argentina (4-2-3-1): Dominguez; Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie; Franco, M. Caicedo; Yeboah, Paez, Sarmiento; Valencia
Argentina vs Ecuador score prediction
Argentina has not lost to Ecuador in over nine years, and the reigning Copa America champions are not about to start. Even if Messi cannot play a full 90 minutes, La Albiceleste have more than enough talent on the pitch to overcome an Ecuador side that could not score against Mexico.
Plus, Argentina's defense has yet to concede a goal this tournament despite different players rotating in and out of the backline.
