Ecuador v Argentina: Line-ups, stats and preview
Preview for Ecuador v Argentina
Lionel Messi will sit out tomorrow evening’s closing World Cup qualifier for Argentina as they go to Ecuador.
Messi lower an emotional determine as he performed doubtlessly his final match for his nation on residence soil because the world champions beat Venezuela final week.
The 38-year-old was joined on the pitch by his three sons earlier than the sport and appeared to shed a tear earlier than scoring twice as Argentina received 3-0.
Messi has not all the time acquired the identical adulation in his homeland as he has elsewhere however his function in two Copa America crowns and the World Cup success in Qatar has modified the notion of a participant who left for Europe when he was nonetheless a boy.
“It’s all the time a pleasure to play in Argentina with our folks. I’m very completely happy. With the ability to end on this method here’s what I all the time dreamed of,” he stated after the sport.
“For a few years I’ve had the love of Barcelona, and my dream was to have it right here too, in my nation with my folks.”
With that event now completed, and qualification and prime spot within the Conmebol qualifying part lengthy since secured, Messi has been informed to return to Miami and relaxation.
Argentina have dominated South American soccer for a number of years and a win right here, coupled with beneficial outcomes elsewhere, may see them break their very own file by profitable the Conmebol part by a file margin.
They’re at the moment 10 factors away from Brazil and 11 forward of Uruguay. The file is 12 factors set by the crew that certified for the 2002 World Cup, spearheaded by Gabriel Batistuta and Juan Sebastian Veron.
Ecuador can even mirror on a massively satisfying qualification interval. They’ve already secured their place in the USA, Canada and Mexico and a fifth successive clear sheet will see them equal the file for the fewest objectives conceded in a single Conmebol marketing campaign.
Crew Information for Ecuador v Argentina
Along with Messi, Cristian Romero will even miss the sport in Guayaquil as a consequence of suspension.
Leonardo Balerdi will are available in for Romero whereas boss Lionel Scaloni may reshuffle his ahead choices by bringing in Lautaro Martinez and switching Julian Alvarez to the appropriate of a entrance three.
Alan Franco may come again into the Ecuador midfield after lacking the goalless draw with Paraguay on Thursday.
Predicted line-ups for Ecuador v Argentina
Ecuador: Galindez; Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Estupinan; Franco, Alcivar, Vite; Paez, Angulo, Valencia
Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Balerdi, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Gonzalez, De Paul, Paredes, Almada, Alvarez, Martinez
Tips on how to watch Ecuador v Argentina: TV and on-line streams
Ecuador versus Argentina kicks off at midnight tomorrow (Tuesday into Wednesday). It may be watched on UK Premier Sports activities 1.
The sport is being streamed on the Premier Sports activities app.
Stats for Ecuador v Argentina
- Ecuador have drawn eight of their 17 World Cup qualifiers 0-0
- Their final 4 video games have all ended goalless
- Ecuador haven’t scored since Enner Valencia netted a brace in March’s 2-1 victory over Venezuela
- Argentina have gone six video games with out defeat. Their final loss got here in opposition to Paraguay in November 2024
- Argentina haven’t misplaced to Ecuador since 2015
Prediction for Ecuador v Argentina
With Argentina missing the inventive genius of Messi and the house facet boasting an impregnable defence, objectives could also be few and much between.
The guests could possibly be forgiven for coasting by means of the sport given they’ve already certified, though Ecuador shall be desirous to get one over the area’s prime canine.
It’s inconceivable to go in opposition to Argentina given their latest type however we predict Ecuador will get one thing.
