Premier League

Argentina vs Ecuador: Preview, predictions, lineups

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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.

Argentina vs Ecuador H2H record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Argentina

Ecuador

Argentina 2-0 Peru – June 29, 2024

Mexico 0-0 Ecuador – June 30, 2024

Chile 0-1 Argentina – June 25, 2024

Ecuador 3-1 Jamaica – June 26, 2024

Argentina 2-0 Canada – June 20, 2024

Ecuador 1-2 Venezuela – June 22, 2024

Argentina 4-1 Guatemala – June 14, 2024

Ecuador 2-1 Honduras – June 16, 2024

Argentina 1-0 Ecuador – June 9, 2024

Ecuador 3-1 Bolivia – June 12, 2024

Country

TV channel/live stream

United States

FOX, TUDN, Univision, Fox Sports App, Fubo

United Kingdom

Premier Sports 1

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Lionel Messi is battling a slight injury. / CHRIS ARJOON/GettyImages

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 (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

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Ecuador look to upset the reigning Copa America champions. / CHRIS CODUTO/GettyImages

Ecuador’s group stage at Copa America 2024 left plenty to be desired. La Tri only earned four points…

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